Mark Henry has accomplished a great deal in his 17-year career in the World Wrestling Entertainment commonly called WWE. He was one of the key characters of the Attitude Era and has won multiple world titles during that time. He is currently signed with the WWE under the legends contracts. On the occasion of his 49th birthday, let us break down Henry’s top WWE moments.
– Debut vs Jerry the King Lawler
Originally billed from Austin, Texas, the world’s strongest man achieved success in his debut match against Jerry Lawler. Although it was his first match in WWE, it was slow and lasted for than 10 minutes. Henry won the match using a backbreaker, causing Lawler to submit. While the finishing moves were to show off the Olympian’s strength, it does not measure up to the World’s Strongest Slam.
Wrestlemania 30: The Undertaker was set to win against Brock Lesnar until last-minute changes by WWE
– Defeating Ryback at Wrestlemania 29
Henry and Ryback went head-to-head at WrestleMania 29. Although there was not much in term’s of the bout, it certainly was an opportunity for Ryback to revive his failing career by shell-shocking Henry. But to his and everyone’s shock, Henry was victorious in this match as Ryback failed to shell shock the strongest man.
– Joining the Nation of Domination
In 1998, the Rock had just become the new leader of the Nation of Domination and was in a feud with Ken Shamrock over Ken Shamrock over the intercontinental title. A week later, after the Nation attacked Henry, the latter and Ken Shamrock teamed up against the Rock and D’Lo Brown. However, Henry shocked the WWE Universe as it was a set up for him to join the Nation. During the match, as Ken Shamrock was about to put The Rock into an ankle lock submission, Henry attacked his teammate from behind.
Mae Young and the Hand
After turning babyface, Henry began his famous “Sexual Chocolate” character, which saw him become the romancer of the WWE. Even more famously, Henry began an on-screen relationship with Mae Young.
Although this moment deals more with Young than Henry, WWE fans will always associate this moment with Sexual Chocolate. Young would give birth to a hand in one of the grossest and surprising moments, not only in Henry’s career but WWE history.
Why is this moment ranked here? Well aside from its shock value, it is one of the standout moments in Henry’s career and his most famous moment as part of the Sexual Chocolate character. Would you have preferred when he was caught with a transvestite?
– Becoming No. 1 Contender for the World Heavyweight Championship
In August 2011, Henry participated and won a Battle Royal on SmackDown to become the No. 1 contender for the world heavyweight title. Superstars knew how difficult it would be to eliminate Henry as they all attacked him at the start of the match.
Henry was even able to eliminate the Great Khali all by himself.
After Sheamus knocked Henry out of the ring, Henry remained outside where he would attack Superstars who had just been eliminated. Henry did not go over the top rope and thus was not eliminated himself.
Henry would last eliminate Sin Cara en route to his opportunity to challenge Randy Orton for the world title.
– Becomes ECW Champion
In 2008, Henry was drafted to the ECW brand where he quickly became the new champion. He defeated Kane and Big Show in a Triple Threat match at Night of Champions to earn his first world title in the WWE.
The ECW Championship at this point was not looked at as at the same level as the WWE or world heavyweight title. However, it was a sign that WWE was putting Henry at the top of one of its brands.
This was only the second title Henry had held in his career, and the first one (European Championship) was merely handed to him. In any case, Henry would receive WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas as his manager in what was clearly his most dominant run in the company up to this point.
– The Ring Collapses After Henry’s Suplex
In one of the most shocking WWE moments, Henry suplexes Big Show from the top rope which caused the ring to collapse. The match was at Vengeance 2011 pay-per-view where Henry defended his world heavyweight championship against the Big Show.
– Henry opens the Hall of Pain
On the night of July 17, 2011, Henry began what was to be known as the Hall of Pain on the Big Show. He attacked the World’s Largest Athlete and injured his ankle with the use of a steel chair. Henry’s thirst for hurting people was beginning as he would continue romping other superstars. Whether it was Kane or the Great Khali, almost everyone was inducted into the Hall of Pain.
– The World’s Strongest Swerve
After teasing his retirement on Twitter and backstage with fellow WWE Superstars, Henry pulled off one of the most surprises moments in recent history. After WWE Champion John Cena gave his thoughts on remaining champion following WWE Payback, Henry entered. The World’s Strongest Man gave a very convincing speech that led the entire WWE Universe to believe he was retiring. However, when Cena went in to hug Henry, the World’s Strongest Man delivered the World’s Strongest Slam. It was one of the most convincing fake retirement storylines ever.
– Defeats Randy Orton to become the New World Heavyweight Champion
Of all the moments in Henry’s WWE career, this one stands out the most. It may not have been the most surprising moment, however, the achievement in the match certainly makes it special. He held the ECW and European title before this win. During this period, the World’s Strongest Man was as dominant as ever in his entire career.