Mark Henry Talks AEW, MLW, Nation, Theme Music, Recruiting (Patreon)

The World’s Strongest Man and WWE Hall of Famer, Mark Henry, caught up with Fightful for an exclusive interview. Henry spoke with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, as they discussed multiple topics. 

The conversation began with Sean mentioning to Mark that he had confirmed our report regarding his contract status with AEW, which ended in May. Sean mentioned the ball must have been rolling fast to get him involved with MLW’s Battle Riot. Mark described to Sean how the process came about and said he had been friends with Court Bauer and Alex Greenfield forever, and respected and admired them. Henry mentioned that there are certain people he has [colleagues/friends] in wrestling where if they call him and ask him to do something last minute, he would tell them, “Let’s do it.”

Sean mentioned that Mark Henry’s son, Jacob, had talked about potentially being in the business. Mark said he told Jacob he needed to travel the world for around a year before becoming a mainstream name in the United States. Mark mentioned Jacob needed to work in countries like Canada, Japan, Australia, and more. He said he wants him to learn how to exist in locker rooms and learn other wrestler’s styles. He wants Jacob to get the opportunities that he did not have. Mark mentioned Jacob is a stereotypical second-generation wrestler and that his understanding [of the business] is elite. Henry would say that it will be a few years until this occurs. Jacob has committed to the University of Oklahoma and will wrestle. Jacob was also a three-star football prospect. 

The next topic of conversation was AJ Styles's retirement promo from the WWE SmackDown on May 31st. Sean asked the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion how he felt about it, as the promos were comparable to his “retirement” promo he had with John Cena [2013]. Henry said, “I loved it. I feel a sense of pride when I’m being honored.”

Mark said Bianca Belair recently did a “Mark Henry” spot at WrestleMania XL. She hit Damage CTRL’s Kairi Sane with a press slam. Mark would also note that Braun Strowman has previously done spots. Mark says when people do stuff like that, it gives him a sense of accomplishment and makes him feel like a proud Papa.

The former Olympian revealed that AJ Styles texted him, saying, “Man, I hope I made you proud.” Mark told Sean that the message had made his eyes well up.

When the topic of his theme song in WWE came up, “Some Bodies Gonna Get It” by Three 6 Mafia. Mark told Sean that the first time he ever listened to it was without lyrics. Mark said that former WWE music composer Jim Johnston had Mark contact Three Six Mafia’s Juicy J. He said they spoke for over an hour, and Henry stated he was asked about his childhood, where he came from, and his mentality. Mark said Juicy J pulled all that information and put it into Henry’s theme. Henry said they hit it off when they talked about the Memphis territory. Mark said he knew he would do a good job. Henry says he has had thousands of people tell him they have his theme on their playlist.

The conversation would shift to his catchphrase from AEW Rampage, “It’s time for the main event.” Sean mentioned that people in our Fightful Select Q&A asked why he [Henry] was no longer appearing. Henry said there were a few factors that went into it. He said it was too over with the fans and mentioned being more over than the talent.

Mark would dive deeper into his time in AEW and working with Tony Khan. Mark said he could communicate with Tony. Mark said, “ I wish he would have allowed me to help him be even more [of] the boss. Because talent will always try to lead you to do it their way, to make it fit them rather make it fit the company.” Mark would tell Sean that he just wanted AEW to do well.

Sean asked Mark about some of the wilder creative ideas pitched during his time in the WWE. Mark recalled that when he pulled a semi-truck, Vince McMahon thought it looked “too easy.” Vince asked if he could pull two. Henry said he did it, but he hurt himself in the process. Mark said it took him about a month to recover, and his ankles and feet hurt. Mark said he doesn’t blame Vince for it.

Mark would tell us some of his favorite moments away from the venue that were filmed for TV. He mentioned his date with Chyna and the hotel room with Mae Young as two of his favorite ones.

The discussion would move on to his days with the Nation of the Domination. Mark said it is the best faction of all time. Mark said he believes Vince was the first to mention him possibly joining the faction. Mark noted that Ron Simmons and The Rock mentioned it to him after that. He thought it was going to be a one-off.

Sean would ask Mark about his recruiting and scouting abilities. Sean mentioned how Mark helped bring Bryan Danielson into the WWE. Henry recalled being in Canada for a show and coming across one of Danielson’s matches in his hotel room. Mark said he contacted former WWE Referee Jimmy Korderas to help get him some information so he could reach out to Bryan. Mark said he spoke with Bryan and gauged his interest in getting a tryout. Mark shared how WWE was looking for bigger guys and not looking for smaller guys at the time, but their opinion changed after seeing Bryan.

Sean mentioned names Mark helped recruit into the business, such as Bianca Belair, Braun Strowman, Apollo Crews, Rich Swann, etc. 

He shared how he noticed Bianca Belair at a CrossFit event and realized she was an entertainer after seeing her for just a few minutes.

In closing, Sean asked if we could see Mark Henry in another match. Mark said he has about five more bumps left in him, one of which is to take a bump in one of Jacob’s matches.

You can hear Mark Henry on SiriusXM’s Busted Open. Check out his website, TheMarkHenry.com.