Mark Henry wants Oba Femi to develop one specific skill as his WWE career accelerates following his victory over Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42, and it has nothing to do with what happens inside the ring.
Speaking with Toronto Sun, Henry argued that the ability to decline certain creative directions is not a sign of being difficult but a necessary thing to do.
“It’s learning to say no. There’s some things that are not going to be good for you going forward and it’s tough to say no, but you have to be able to say, ‘We worked too hard to get to this point, I think that would take us backwards. Is there another way we could do it because that just doesn’t work for me.’ You’re not being difficult, you’re not being a butthole, you’re being cautious and careful about your development and where you’re going. That’s just my advice to Oba and well as my advice to the company. Do the right thing and be flexible. Don’t be so rigid when an idea is struck and you just don’t feel it. If you emotionally can’t get your mind into it, it’s not going to play out well to the people that are watching.”
Henry directed the message not just at Femi but at WWE itself, framing flexibility as a two-way responsibility between performer and company.
Femi’s defeat of Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 Night Two in Las Vegas was widely viewed as one of the more star-making moments of the entire weekend. Reports have since indicated WWE is planning to position him against Roman Reigns as part of the World Heavyweight Championship picture, with Femi’s win over Lesnar establishing the credibility needed to make that program believable.
During Busted Open Radio, Henry argued that the NFL legend’s involvement makes sense given WWE’s direction heading into WrestleMania 42.
Henry acknowledged the surprise factor of the reveal, noting that fans didn’t expect Pat McAfee to be the mystery caller instructing ‘The Viper’. The veteran framed the negative reaction as part of a larger generational divide in wrestling fandom.
Tougher Wrestling Product
According to Henry, longtime fans continue comparing today’s WWE to a different era. He explained that many hardcore viewers express frustration with the current product’s tone.
“A lot of the hardcore, old-school wrestling guys keep saying stuff like, ‘I used to watch back in the Attitude Era. I used to watch when guys looked like they would just beat you up just for looking at them. The days of big, burly, middle-aged men wrestling is over. That’s why our business is soft now’”
Henry connected McAfee’s mindset directly to those complaints, suggesting the former NFL star shares similar concerns about WWE’s current direction.
“That’s what Pat McAfee was saying. ‘I want to bring back that part of wrestling, the toughness, the aggressiveness. We’re a little too PG.’ That’s what Pat McAfee is saying. He wants to help change it.”
Rather than viewing fan backlash as a problem, Henry suggested the negative reaction might actually prove the angle is working. He argued that meaningful change requires disruption.
“I want change. I love the fact that there’s somebody else that wants change, and sometimes, in order to have change, you’ve got to ruffle a few feathers. And so far, it looks like everybody’s feathers are ruffled.”
Henry closed by connecting the storyline to WrestleMania 42, suggesting Orton vs. Rhodes will adopt a more intense tone reminiscent of WWE’s Attitude Era.
Teddy Long is heading back to where it all began. Major League Wrestling has announced that the WWE Hall of Famer will make his return to Center Stage in Atlanta on Saturday, March 14, when MLW hosts an MLW FUSION TV taping.
Long\’s ties to Atlanta run deep. He managed the dominant tag team Doom and the Skyscrapers, served as an advisor to Ron Simmons during his championship reign, and became a respected power broker in the industry — with Center Stage serving as the backdrop for many pivotal moments in his career.
Long last appeared in MLW during the summer of 2024, when he and Mark Henry made a surprise appearance at MLW Battle Riot VI in Atlanta. His sudden return raises plenty of questions: Is he scouting new talent? Backing a rising star? Or does he have a major announcement in store?
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry delivered a raw and emotional interview on The Undertaker\’s \”Six Feet Under\” podcast, discussing the racism he faced throughout his career, his supernatural strength, and the family legacy he\’s building.
The World\’s Strongest Man revealed that despite enduring racist comments and \”deplorable people\” during his 25-year WWE run, it was embarrassment that hit him hardest.
\”That was the worst I ever felt in wrestling,\” Henry said. \”I had people say racist things. I had people that was just deplorable people. Everything you could think of. But embarrassing—it was because it was me.\”
Naturally Gifted
Henry also reflected on his God-given abilities, comparing himself to the biblical figure Samson.
\”That\’s what God gave me, the ability to be able to control my strength,\” he explained. \”Sometimes I could really take it far farther than what even my training allowed.\”
Talent Scout
The conversation turned to Henry\’s impressive talent scouting legacy. He\’s credited with recruiting five current WWE stars who weren\’t considering wrestling careers, including Bianca Belair, Braun Strowman, Jade Cargill, Baron Corbin, and Samantha Irvin.
Mark Henry\’s Daughter
Henry also proudly discussed his daughter Joanna inheriting his physical gifts.
\”She\’s just like a recreation of me, but a girl. Copy paste. She\’s strong, man.\”
The two-time Olympian, who recently re-signed with WWE under a Legends deal in March 2025, continues shaping wrestling\’s future while reflecting on his groundbreaking past.
Following John Cena\’s final WWE match at Saturday Night\’s Main Event on December 13, WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry provided a firsthand account of what happened backstage after the 16-time world champion said goodbye to in-ring competition.
Cena lost to Gunther via submission in a 24-minute main event at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., marking his first tap-out loss in 20 years. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Henry described an emotional scene behind the curtain.
\”I walked through the back to do this broadcast and there was a line of about 30 or 40 people to get to John, hugging and consoling him,\” Henry said. \”We gave the salute and I kept going and came up here, but like, people were emotional. The last time I saw people crying emotional like that was… somebody passed away.\”
What\’s Next for John Cena
Henry was quick to note that while Cena\’s wrestling career has ended, his presence in entertainment will continue.
\”John is still alive and well. He\’s going to Hollywood and he\’s going to make some incredible films. You\’re gonna keep hearing him every day on all the commercials and ad spaces that he does. He\’s not going away. He\’s just going away from the ring.\”
Cena\’s 26-year wrestling career concluded with the entire WWE roster coming to the ring for a farewell ceremony, with CM Punk and Cody Rhodes placing their championship belts on his shoulders as a final tribute.
WWE Hall of Famer \”The World\’s Strongest Man\” Mark Henry believes that if Randy Orton is to have another run as WWE Champion, it must be as a heel. In a recent interview, Henry made a passionate case for Orton to return to his heel roots, arguing that \”The Viper\” is one of the few superstars in history who is definitively better as a heel than a babyface.
Orton has been a beloved fan favorite since his return from a career-threatening back injury, but Henry feels that a return to the heel persona that defined much of his career is the \”tailor-made\” story for his next main event run. Speaking with TMZ, the former World Heavyweight Champion explained exactly what he wants to see from a future Randy Orton championship reign.
“I wouldn\’t want Randy to be champion as good guy Randy. I want Randy… the story is tailor made. Have Randy come in now and start punting people again, RKO\’ing people\’s grandmothers and children. Have him stomping people. Let Randy be Randy.”
He emphasized that Orton\’s greatest strength has always been his ability to be a compelling and hated villain.
“I don\’t know if you can say more definitively that a guy\’s a better heel than he was a babyface.”
Henry also compared Orton\’s current situation to that of John Cena, who is in the midst of his farewell tour.
“I think Randy wants to be in the same regard as Cena. He deserves it too. But while Cena is doing that, you can\’t actively have two people doing the same story.”
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry has weighed in on the controversial incident involving Raja Jackson and Syko Stu at a KnokX Pro Wrestling event this past weekend.
Speaking with TMZ, Henry commented on the situation, which saw Raja Jackson, son of MMA legend Quinton \”Rampage\” Jackson, legitimately knock out and injured Syko Stu. Henry stated that he believes the injured wrestler, Syko Stu, shoulders some of the blame for what happened.
“You’ve got to be careful, one, who you’re messing with, and, two, what kind of example are you as a veteran for inciting a riot with a kid,” Henry said.
\”The World\’s Strongest Man\” noted that while he also chastised Raja for needing to have more \”respect for the business\” and to control his anger, he feels the primary fault lies with Stu for instigating the situation. The incident was preceded by an altercation where Stu hit Raja with a drink can.
\”If indeed what I saw was what I saw, which is people before the show, during the day time, drinking and intoxicated or partially intoxicated, and you bust a bottle over a guy’s head and talk trash like that guy was not going to do nothing, yeah, you’re at fault,” Henry stated.
The in-ring attack, which was part of a planned spot that went wrong, left Syko Stu hospitalized with what his family called \”severe injures to his head.\” The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the incident.
An update from Stu\’s family on Monday stated that he is \”conscious and able to talk,\” and a GoFundMe for his medical expenses has raised over $60,000. YouTuber Mr. Beast has also offered to help Stu and his family.
Hulk Hogan\’s legacy in wrestling was forever tainted when racist comments came to light in 2015, prompting a swift firing from WWE. While Hogan was rehired three years later, many never moved past from his racist comments, resulting in mixed responses at events for the rest of his life.
Much has been said about Hogan\’s comments by fans and those within the industry. Speaking on TMZ\’s The Real Hulk Hogan documentary, Mark Henry made clear why he couldn\’t back his fellow Hall of Famer.
\”He said, in his words, that he was a racist. Why would I sit here and try to defend somebody that tells you who they were?\”
Hogan\’s words \”hurt\” Henry who in the video shared that he \”used to love that dude\” and \”wanted to be like\” Hogan for much of his life. After the racist remarks came to light, Henry, who was with WWE at the time, shared with Vince McMahon how Hogan could make amends.
\”I told Vince McMahon, if y’all want this to go away, I know how to fix it. We should do a black college tour at Morehouse and Prairie View and hit the circuit.\”
McMahon rejected the idea, telling Henry \”I\’ve been advised not to talk about it no more.\” McMahon also appears in the doc, in which he argues that Hogan was not a racist, despite his comments. In the infamous video, Hogan said that \”I am a racist, to a point\” before using a slur about black people.
While fans have honored Hogan since his passing, the hurt his words caused continue to be felt. For Mark Henry and many more, the idea that people should ignore what Hogan said because he has died is simply not possible.
WWE Superstars come from all works of life, and for Bianca Belair, a single message from Hall of Famer Mark Henry changed everything for the EST. Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Belair explained how her athleticism and natural showmanship in a CrossFit video caught Henry’s attention in an unexpected way.
“Mark Henry saw a video of me. I had this big bow in my hair and I’m talking to the audience, and he’s like, ‘Hey, have you ever thought of being a wrestler?’”
While wrestling had its sights set on Belair, the feeling wasn\’t mutual. At the time, the last thing the future Women\’s Champion planned on doing was competing in a ring, despite being aware of WWE\’s programming.
“Like, ‘Nah, not really, but I was watch—I’ve seen Total Divas and I joke with my mom like maybe I’ll be a wrestler.\”
Eventually, Henry was able to convince Belair to give wrestling a try. As the WWE Hall of Famer explained, Bianca was already training for pro wrestling, without even realizing it at the time.
\”You’re basically doing everything that a wrestler does. You’re wearing wrestling gear. You’re wearing entrance pieces. You’re grabbing the microphone.\”
Belair\’s charisma was already on display in her CrossFit persona. In a precursor to her colorful WWE role, Belair was attracting fans more interested in seeing her than they were in CrossFit
\”People would come to the CrossFit events to see what I was going to wear… I’ve been an athlete my whole life, and I don’t know how not to be an athlete.\”
Henry was able to get Belair a tryout, though made it clear he couldn\’t make WWE hire her. After two tryouts, Belair\’s future was secured as a WWE Superstar. While she had Henry rooting for her, she acknowledged not everyone may be so fortunate.
\”Listen to your gut, because sometimes you might not have that Mark Henry in your life. You have to be your own Mark Henry.\”
For decades, pro-wrestling was dominated by big men, often resulting in smaller stars being overlooked when it came to main event pushes. Today, things are very different, as stars smaller in stature continue to be presented with opportunities to thrive on programming.
Mark Henry is a bona fide big man, and believes the pendulum has swung too far the other way. While big men were once shoo-ins for the top spot, Henry told Forbes that it\’s hard to be big in wrestling in 2025.
\”I feel sorry for the big man in pro wrestling right now… The little guy is in power right now… they want to keep it that way. They don’t want the big guy to flourish.\”
Henry gave the example of Wardlow, a jacked-up talent in AEW, many once considered as a sure-fire World Champion. Instead, Wardlow\’s role in AEW has diminished significantly as fans haven\’t seen him in the ring in months.
It\’s not just in AEW where Henry sees the big man held down. While GUNTHER is the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Henry believes that Der Ring General has had to change himself to please others.
“GUNTHER used to be a big dude. He used to be one of the monsters and then the world has talked him into, no, you need to be smaller.”
Henry\’s time as a big man in wrestling saw him capture both the ECW and World Heavyweight Championships. Nevertheless, he feels a lot has changed in the business.
Vince McMahon’s future may be uncertain but Mark Henry is convinced that things aren\’t all bad for the former WWE Chairman. In an interview with Alfred Konuwa of Forbes, Henry was asked about what might be next for McMahon following his 2024 resignation from WWE.
\”I have zero idea, but I’m going to tell you something. If I had $7 billion, I would do whatever I wanted to do and nothing you or nobody else was going to stop me from doing it.\”
McMahon has launched his own company as of late, 14TH & I, a private investment firm targeting buyouts and majority deals with a focus on sports, media, and entertainment. The name references the location of Capitol Wrestling Corporation—the predecessor to WWE run by McMahon\’s father.
Later in the interview, noted that, from a legal standpoint, McMahon has not faced prison time for the allegations against him. With that in mind, Henry believes the door is wide open for McMahon to do whatever he wants next.
“So he can do whatever he wants. He didn’t go to prison. The world is very forgiving.”
Even if McMahon is not convicted or faces punishment related to Janel Grant\’s lawsuit, the court of public opinion is often harder to win over. Nevertheless, Henry believes McMahon’s wealth and influence make him largely untouchable.
Hulk Hogan\’s standing among wrestling fans has taken a hit in recent years, as seen during Raw\’s debut episode on Netflix where he was heavily booed. It turns out that this hostility to the Hulkster isn\’t just in the U.S as fans in the UK are no fan of the self-professed \’Real American.\’
On March 23, Joe Hendry and Mark Henry hosted the \’Sweet Chin Disco\’ in Notttingham, England. While the event was an enjoyable time for the most part, the tone soured at a time when Hogan\’s theme song was played. Those in attendance booed the use of Hogan\’s theme, resulting in the song quickly being cut and a different theme being played.
This response to Hogan\’s theme shows that the dislike for the former WWE World Champion isn\’t confined to the U.S. alone, but is instead an international viewpoint. In 2015, Hogan was fired from WWE after racist remarks came to light, including Hogan saying he would be opposed to his daughter dating a black man.
While Hogan was brought back in 2018, many believe Hogan did not make sufficient efforts to make-up for his past. Hogan reportedly addressed the WWE roster upon his return. At the time, it was said that the crux of Hogan\’s speech was for wrestlers to be wary about what they say because they may be recorded, rather than reflecting on why racism is wrong.
Hogan hasn\’t been spotted on WWE programming since Raw\’s Netflix debut though he remains part of the world of politics as a supporter of President Donald Trump. While the Hulkster may continue to make waves in the political world, this disco in Nottigham shows that wrestling fans are still a long way away from forgiving the controversial wrestling icon.
Mark Henry has officially returned to the WWE fold, announcing that he has signed a legends/nostalgia deal with the company. This agreement signals a renewed partnership between the wrestling veteran and his former employer, bringing him back into the WWE universe after a three-year stint with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). A notable aspect of this new deal is the collaboration with Mattel to produce a new Mark Henry action figure, catering to fans eager to add to their WWE memorabilia collections. Ringside Collectibles captured the moment of Henry\’s announcement, sharing the news with fans.
Henry\’s history with WWE spans a significant period, from 1996 to 2021, during which he established himself as a dominant force in the company. His accolades include reigns as WWE World Heavyweight Champion and WWE ECW Champion, cementing his status as a formidable competitor. His contributions to WWE were recognized with his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018, solidifying his legacy within the organization.
Mark Henry has signed a WWE Legends deal which includes new @Mattel@WWE Figures! ???
Following his departure from WWE in 2021, Henry joined AEW, where he took on a multifaceted role as an analyst, coach, and occasional commentator. During his time with AEW, Henry played a crucial part in mentoring younger talent, sharing his extensive knowledge of match psychology and character development. His behind-the-scenes contributions were highly valued, and he maintained a positive relationship with the company.
However, in mid-2024, Henry and AEW mutually agreed to part ways. This decision stemmed from Henry\’s desire to focus on personal ventures, while still maintaining a respectful and amicable relationship with the company. His return to WWE signifies a new chapter in his career, allowing him to reconnect with his WWE fanbase and contribute to the company\’s legacy in a legends/nostalgia capacity.
Mark Henry\’s journey to the top of WWE wasn\’t a straight path—it was filled with setbacks, pain, and resilience.
Henry joined WWE on a ten-year contract after the 1996 Olympics, but broke his leg in his first year. Through the 2000s, he became a dominant force, capturing the ECW Championship in 2008 at Night of Champions by defeating Kane and Big Show, making him the fourth African-American world champion in WWE history.
However, plans for him to win the more-prestigious WWE World Heavyweight championship were sadly derailed due to another injury.
Speaking with Monopoly Events’ Jamal Niaz at the For The Love of Wrestling 2025 convention, the former World Heavyweight Champion revealed that he was originally slated to win the World Heavyweight title three years before his 2011 reign, but an untimely injury derailed those plans.
\”I was supposed to be Champion three years earlier, but I got injured… It was good that I was still relevant and talented enough to get another opportunity.\”
Despite the delay, Henry\’s Hall of Pain persona became one of the most dominant and memorable runs in WWE history, proving that persistence pays off.
Henry also discussed one of the most physically punishing moments of his career—the infamous 2011 ring collapse during his match against The Big Show at Vengeance.
\”The weight of both of us made it faster for whatever reason, and when it hit, it was just really explosive… My teeth clattered together, it felt like lightning struck me.\”
Moments like these remind fans just how brutal professional wrestling can be, even for powerhouses like Henry. His story is a testament to perseverance and the physical toll that comes with the pursuit of greatness.
Today, Mark Henry\’s legacy continues to grow through his son Jacob, who recently signed with WWE\’s NIL program. Jacob will compete as a heavyweight for the University of Oklahoma\’s prestigious wrestling team while pursuing his WWE dreams.
The father-son duo recently appeared together on RAW in Austin, Texas, marking Mark\’s return to WWE programming after a three-year absence.
With Jacob\’s impressive high school wrestling record and his aspirations to main event WrestleMania, the Henry family\’s impact on professional wrestling is poised to continue for another generation.
For all the battles Mark Henry endured in his legendary career, none shook him quite like his WrestleMania 22 casket match against The Undertaker. Henry, who suffers from claustrophobia, describes the experience as overwhelming and terrifying.
Speaking with Monopoly Events’ Jamal Niaz at the For The Love of Wrestling 2025 convention, the \”World\’s Strongest Man\” gave a terrifying glimpse into what it\’s like to get sealed into a casket by WWE\’s legendary Phenom:
“It was like people putting tape over your mouth and nose. You can’t breathe.”
Henry even compared the sensation to the infamous buried-alive scene from Kill Bill, starring Uma Thurman.
“That’s the same way I felt when I was in that coffin… It made me feel the same identical way. I had to walk out of the movie when I saw it.”
Despite the fear, Henry delivered a hard-hitting performance against The Undertaker on the grandest stage of them all. But the mental battle he fought inside that casket remains one of the most intense challenges of his career.
This revelation sheds new light on the psychological toll that wrestlers endure beyond the physical pain—showing that even the toughest competitors have their breaking points.
More on the Undertaker vs Mark Henry Casket Match at WrestleMania 22
The Undertaker and Mark Henry spoke extensively about their Casket Match at WrestleMania 22 during a recent episode of Taker\’s Six Feet Under podcast. Henry called it a defining moment in his career, revealing that their clash was the culmination of a two-year learning experience, during which he wrestled The Undertaker at house shows and international tours.
“I had wrestled already eight years and I still was learning,” Henry admitted. “I can wrestle anybody now after being there with him.”
One of the key lessons The Undertaker imparted was the importance of pacing and creating space. \”Let me sell what you’ve done to me already,” The Undertaker explained. “You are watching me helpless, and now it\’s just a matter of time before you go in for that final bite.”
The Undertaker also revealed that he personally chose Henry as his WrestleMania opponent, explaining that finding credible challengers for his near-mythical character was difficult.
“Trying to find legitimate opponents… well, why not the World\’s Strongest Man?” he said.
Their match made history as the only casket match ever held at WrestleMania, further cementing The Undertaker’s legacy. “To be a part of that… that’s kind of a cool thing,” Henry said, before jokingly adding, “And to get a WrestleMania Main Event paycheck? Nice.”
The Nation of Domination were a force to be reckoned with during the Attitude Era and reunited this past weekend in Manchester, England. The quartet of D\’Lo Brown, Mark Henry, The Godfather, and Ron Simmons were all guests at For The Love of Wrestling. On X, the convention\’s organizers shared a clip of the group\’s entrance.
The group didn\’t just make a star-studded entrance, but also fielded questions from fans during a Q&A event. Fans were also able to get autographs and photos from the faction\’s individual members, as well as as a group photo alongside the four legendary wrestlers.
As their name suggests, the Nation of Domination dominated during the late 90s, with multiple titles to their name. These include D\’Lo holding the European Championship on two occasions while The Rock (who would replace Simmons as the faction\’s leader in 1998) would hold the Intercontinental Championship.
The Nation were just some of the legends at For the Love of Wrestling, the largest wrestling fan convention in Europe. Attitude Era fans were also given the chance to meet legends including Sting, Mick Foley, and Lex Luger. For fans of more modern-day talents, Tyler Breeze, JDC (fka Fandango), Ash By Elegance (fka Dana Brooke), Heath Slater, and Raj Dhesi were on hand to sign autographs, take photos, and answer questions.
Social media star IShowSpeed made waves at the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble earlier this month, where he made his in-ring debut in the annual 30-man battle royal match. Naturally, his appearance produced a viral video clip – Speed getting nearly speared out of his boots by Bron Breakker, followed by a bone-crunching announce table slam from Otis.
Following the event, IShowSpeed made bold backstage comments, promising a return at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He also called out several WWE superstars, including Roman Reigns, Rey Mysterio, Dominik Mysterio—and Hall of Famer Mark Henry.
Mark Henry Threatens IShowSpeed
Henry, who last competed in WWE at the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018, responded to IShowSpeed’s challenge on Busted Open Radio. In a clip shared on his Twitter account, the former World Heavyweight Champion issued a warning:
“Speed, you might want to be careful mentioning my name. You better ask your friends about me. I ain’t the one.”
The interaction adds intrigue to IShowSpeed’s potential WWE future, as reports indicate he was well-received backstage, with WWE officials reportedly open to further collaborations.
DJ Mark Henry
Meanwhile, Mark Henry is set to visit the UK from March 21-29, where he will be DJing at the Sweet Chin Disco events in cities including Manchester, Belfast, Nottingham, Glasgow, London, and Birmingham.
WWE Saturday Night\’s Main Event once again had a nostalgic flair, with several legends of the ring appearing at the event. During the show, Ted DiBiase, Dory Funk Jr. and \’Hacksaw\’ Jim Duggan were spotlighted in the crowd.
Jesse \’The Body\’ Ventura was part of the show after making his return to WWE with last month\’s Saturday Night\’s Main Event special. The WWE Hall of Famer and former Minnesota governor was excited to see Bron Breakker and Sheamus go to war for the Intercontinental Championship.
Alundra Blayze was also in the crowd, with the WWF Women\’s Championship. Blayze infamously dropped the title in the trash after she moved to WCW in 1995.
The Brainbusters Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were shown following Jacob Fatu’s assault of Braun Strowman. The pair had previously been a part of AEW.
Mark Henry, another AEW alum, was also in the crowd at Saturday Night\’s Main Event. Henry\’s son Jacob recently signed with WWE, leaving fans excited to see what\’s to come for the young powerhouse.
The appearance of these legends, alongside the in-ring action of the modern-day roster, provided an exciting night for the WWE Universe. With four Saturday Night\’s Main Events planned per years, fans can expect many more nostalgic moments featuring legends of the past on WWE programming in the future.
Hulk Hogan was resoundingly booed during this week\’s Raw, the show\’s debut episode on Netflix. Many attribute the negative response to lingering backlash over racist comments Hogan made, which Mark Henry believes the Hulkster has not adequately addressed.
\”With the social climate and the things [Hulk\’s] said and done and his lack of effort to try and fix it, people are gonna come down on it.\”
Hogan was fired from WWE in 2015 after a leaked video revealed him making racist comments. In the footage, Hogan expressed disgust at the idea of his daughter dating a Black man, repeatedly used the n-word, and admitted to being \”a racist, to a point.\”
According to Henry, Hogan made little effort to genuinely reflect or grow from the incident, instead seemingly hoping the controversy would fade over time.
\”He never wanted to go forward and fix it. That\’s what happens when you think everything is gonna go away. It\’s not gonna go away.\”
WWE reinstated Hogan in 2018, though fan reactions have been mixed since his return. Upon rejoining the company, Hogan held a backstage meeting where he apologized for his comments and for damaging WWE\’s image. However, his apology also included a cautionary message to others about being recorded without their consent.
Hogan has been featured in promotional material for this month\’s WWE Saturday Night\’s Main Event, though questions remain as to whether he\’ll appear in person. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on the controversial Hall of Famer, whose actions outside the ring continue to shape his legacy among fans.
As the world’s largest wrestling promotion, WWE has been home to countless legends, many of whom still make sporadic appearances. Mark Henry posted a video on X to share a thoughtful gesture from WWE. He revealed receiving a New Year’s card addressed to the \”legends that paved the way.\”
Moved by the sentiment, Henry remarked, \”Sometimes, a pat on the back is all you need.\”
This gesture signals progress in WWE\’s relationship with its legendary talents, which drummed up controversy not too long ago. In 2021, Mickie James received her personal belongings in a trash bag following her release, a move that drew widespread outrage. The incident prompted an apology from WWE and the dismissal of Mark Carrano, the former Senior Director of Talent Relations.
Upon learning of the disrespectful treatment some of our recently released talent received on behalf of the company, we took immediate action. The person responsible for this inconsiderate action has been fired and is no longer with @WWE.
WWE currently has several names from wrestling\’s past on \’Legends Contracts,\’ demonstrating the company\’s respect for those who have paved the way. In 2024 alone, several major names, including Ken Shamrock, Mick Foley, Rob Van Dam, and \’Diamond\’ Dallas Page all confirmed that they are under Legends Contracts.
As for Henry, he exited AEW in May of this year and has since found himself back on WWE TV, appearing on Raw in August alongside his son Jacob. It\’s unclear when Henry will next appear for WWE, but the gesture shared with him this week demonstrates that WWE is always ready to recognize the work of its legends.
Bret Hart may go by \’The Excellence of Execution\’ but \’Hitman\’ himself may give that designation to the late great Leo Burke.
Burke, a pro wrestling legend out of Canada, sadly passed away on July 24, 2024 and Hart shared a beautiful tribute on his social media, noting of the legacy Leo left on the industry and on himself.
Less than a week ago, I got to speak with Bret Hart in detail about Burke\’s influence on not just him, but other wrestlers who have left an impact on the business
How Bret Hart Learned From Leo Burke
Burke made a pro wrestling name for himself wrestling for the likes of Stu Hart, The Funks, Jim Crockett and so many other names across the globe. Hart was familiar with Burke when Leo first got his start in 1966. Bret was just a kid at the time, but remembered Burke came into Calgary with a \’Batman\’ gimmick, and while the memory stuck with Bret, the gimmick didn\’t for Burke, who became a big star for Stu Hart and a good in-ring rival for Bret while in Stampede. Bret noted what a master of ring psychology Burke was. He credited both Leo and the late Dynamite Kid for helping him become in-ring legend he is today.
\”Like I learned so much from both Dynamite and Leo, that when I think of like my style and my career, and how I maybe blossomed as a wrestler in WWF, it was all because of both those guys.\”
\”\”I picked up the ring bell and I\’ m gonna take it over the apron and take it in the ring and I\’m gonna brain Steve Austin with the bell, and I walk over and I set it on the apron and then I change my mind and then I go over and get a chair, I pick up one chair and I go, \’Ah this one\’s not good enough, it\’s got padding on it,\’ or something. I pick up a metal chair and go, \’This is perfect,\’ and I forget all about the bell, slide under the bottom rope and I\’m going to the ring and I\’ m working Steve over with a chair.
\”I mean everyone forgets about the the bell then, and the bell is the key right sitting on the apron for the whole thing … that\’ s a real Burke type of [move]. You know he would tell you, \’They\’ll forget all about the bell.\’
\”those are the kind of things that Leo taught me like to think ahead and how to think, imagine things. He WAS SUCH A MASTER CLASS.\”
The \’Master Class\’ Of Leo Burke With Adam Copeland
Bret mentioned how historic names like Harley Race and Terry Funk would revere Burke\’s talent in god-like fashion and Burke eventually got to instill that knowledge into major names of the late 1990s. Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, Ken Shamrock and Mark Henry all learned under Leo Burke up in Calgary while Bret worked in WWE.
\”Leo would train them, and Leo got paid the same every day, he got a certain check every week, and he would just have classes. He would tell everyone what time to come, and Test was another one that was there.
\”He was one of those guys I met him in Toronto; he was a bouncer at a club, and I remember the next day he was sitting in my living room.
\”And Leo was training all these guys, and I remember I would come home from being on the road, and then Leo would say, \’ Could you just work with one guy?\’\”
That one guy was Copeland.
\”I did it with Edge, I remember wrestling Edge, I did it with a couple of guys, I remember, it might have been Mark Henry, and I remember, I\’ m like, \’I am so beat up.\’
\”I\’ ve been on the road for six weeks or something, and I come home and Leo\’ s like, \’Can you just come in for a couple of weeks? Just a couple.\’ I didn\’ t even care, you know? I was the one that would do it, I\’ d be so sore I\’ d spend the afternoon in there taking arm drags and stuff, like that, working stuff out.\”
Hart commented on how much he garnered from working with and being around Leo, who had a great sense of humor and was a big factor at making life on the road fun, pulling light-hearted, yet memorable ribs on his brothers and other workers. However, if there was one thing Hitman would want wrestlers today to take note of by studying Burke, it would be the best thing he was known for.
\”I would you think if there\’s a big aspect you want them to take away from him, I would say Leo was most famous for his psychology.\”
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry made his return to programming on this week\’s RAW alongside his Next-In-Line athlete son Jacob. The father/son duo were highlighted in the crowd during this week\’s show that took place in Austin, Texas.
For Mark Henry, this week\’s Raw marked his return to WWE programming after a three-year absence. Henry\’s previous appearance on RAW was as part of the Legends Night special of the red brand in January 2021. In May of that year, he debuted for All Elite Wrestling where he served as a commentator and coach. His time with Tony Khan\’s first promotion ended in May of this year.
Jacob Henry in WWE
Expectations are high for Jacob Henry and his potential future in WWE could see more appearances by his legendary father. As for Mark, he recently shared that he has become a booker and \’director\’ for the All Caribbean Wrestling promotion. The promotion is set to work with Major League Wrestling soon, Henry told TMZ Sports last month.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Mark and Jacob Henry and their potential futures with WWE.
More has come to light about the WWE status of Jacob Henry following his signing with the promotion in recent weeks. Henry is on an NIL deal, Dave Meltzer reports, meaning he\’ll be paid by WWE while he goes to college. Henry, the son of WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry, will compete as a heavyweight for the University of Oklahoma, which Meltzer called \”one of the best programs in the country. In February 2024, Jacob committed to wrestling for the University of Oklahoma.
The younger Henry will reportedly also try out for the University\’s football team in the spring. If successful, Henry won\’t be the first WWE name to play for the University of Oklahoma team as \’Dr. Death\’ Steve Williams played for the team before entering the squared circle.
Expectations are high for Henry who has already seen success in the world of amateur wrestling. Last month, Mark Henry said that his son plans to headline WrestleMania one day, a feat the World\’s Strongest Man did not accomplish in WWE. Jacob also aspires to be an Olympic champion, his father also told TMZ, so it may be some time before we see him in a WWE ring.
WWE has seen several multi-generational Superstars reach or even eclipse their parents, with Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair, The Rock, and Roman Reigns all seeing massive success. Time will tell if Jacob Henry will join that list, but the young athlete has plenty of tools to make a name in the world of professional wrestling.
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry recently revealed that his son, Jacob Henry is eager to not only enter pro wrestling but headline WrestleMania in the future.
Mark Henry told TMZ Sports that his son\’s true passion is pro wrestling and he has already set some daunting goals. The former World Champion revealed that Jacob, who has been an amateur wrestler is not looking for a career in Olympic wrestling. Jacob is aiming to main-event WrestleMania as well as become a champion in Japan. \’The World Strongest Man\’ admitted that these are \”hefty goals\” but he outlined the importance of setting scary goals. He said:
“His true passion is pro wrestling. He’s not trying to be an Olympic champion in wrestling. He said, ‘I don’t want to go to the Pro Bowl or win a Super Bowl. I want to main event WrestleMania and go to Japan and be a champion.’ I’m like, ‘Bro, those are hefty goals.’ But I tell you what, if your goals don’t scare you, then you’re playing it safe. You’re not going to make it unless you have high, high dreams.”
Jacob Henry\’s career
Jacob Henry has attended Lake Travis and participated in wrestling, football as well as track and field. In his junior year, he achieved notable shot put throws of 50-7 and 50-6 which helped him earn a top-four finish in the Texas 6A 285-pound weight class. Meanwhile, in his sophomore and freshman years, he displayed an impressive feat of strength with shot put throws that ranged from 48-10.5 to 49-8.
Speaking about his football career, Jacob Henry dominated the 2022 football season at Lake Travis. He finished the junior season with outstanding stats of 46 tackles, 4 tackles for loss (TFL), 2 sacks, and 6 quarterback hurries. In his sophomore year, he scored 28 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 3 QB hurries.
With his athletic skills and impressive resume, he is a massive prospect for pro wrestling. He could end up joining NXT, WWE\’s developmental brand where several second-generation talents have stepped foot.
Mark Henry worked closely with former WWE boss Vince McMahon throughout his Hall of Fame career spanning Ning 1996-2021
McMahon resigned from WWE following accusations from former employee Janel Grant of abuse and trafficking her to other male employees. Henry weighed in on his former boss\’s departure, telling veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter that people in this industry come and go in various ways:
“I believe that there\’s seasons for everything and eventually we\’re all gonna be away from the business one way or the other. I mean, either by passing away or just the fact you retire or you get fired or you amicably separate or whatever it is, there\’s always gonna be an exodus, and I think it was time for there to be that exodus.”
Henry spent a long time in WWE under McMahon’s leadership. He retired following WrestleMania 33 and transitioned into a backstage producer role. Henry then debuted for AEW in May 2021, serving as a coach and a commentator for AEW Rampage. He left AEW in May 2024, stating he couldn’t dedicate 100% of himself to the company. McMahon was supportive of Henry’s decision to leave for AEW, stating, “You know everything you need to know. You go and if you feel like you need to go, (I) don’t necessarily want it, but if you feel like you need to go, then go. I know you’re going to be successful,” as Henry recalled.
McMahon stepped down from his roles in June 2022 after hush money agreements for affairs with former WWE employees came to light. He returned the following year as executive chairman of the newly formed TKO Group Holdings, following the merger of WWE with UFC by Endeavor Group Holdings. But McMahon parted ways with WWE again in January 2024 due to Janel Grant’s lawsuit alleging abuse and trafficking.
McMahon is also facing a federal investigation apart from the Grant lawsuit.
Another star voiced their opinion on Vince McMahon: Ronda Rousey. Speaking to CBS Sports, Rousey said, “Anyone’s better than Vince McMahon” when it comes to running the wrestling promotion.
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