Henry was born in the small town ofSilsbee in East Texas, 90 miles northeast ofHouston. As a child, he was a big wrestling fan andAndré the Giant was his favorite wrestler. While attending a wrestling show inBeaumont, Texas, young Henry tried to touch André as he was walking down the aisle, but tripped over the barricade. André picked him up out of the crowd and put him back behind the barricade.[26] When Henry was 12 years old, his father, Ernest, died of complications fromdiabetes.[27] When he was 14 years old, Henry was diagnosed withdyslexia.[28]
Henry comes from a family in which almost all of the men are larger than average, especially his great uncle Chudd, who was 6 ft 7 in, weighed approximately 500 lb (230 kg), never had a pair of manufactured shoes, and was known as the strongest man in thePiney Woods ofEast Texas.[29]
Henry playedfootball in high school until hissenior year, when he strainedligaments in his wrist during the first game of the year and scored below 700 on theSAT.[28]
By the time Mark Henry was in the fourth grade, he was 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) and weighed 225 lb (102 kg).[28] His mother bought a set of weights for him when he was ten years old.[28] During Henry's freshman year at Silsbee High School, he was already able tosquat 600 lb (270 kg), which was well over the school record.[28] As an 18-year-old high school senior, Henry was called "the world's strongest teenager" by theLos Angeles Times, and made it into the headlines in early 1990 for winning the National High School Powerlifting Championships and setting teenage lifting world records in the squat 832 lb (377 kg) and total 2,033 lb (922 kg).[30] By the time Henry finished high school, he was a three-time Texas state champion with state and national records in all fourpowerlifting categories—thesquat at 832 lb (377 kg),bench press at 525 lb (238 kg) anddeadlift at 815 lb (370 kg) as well as thetotal at 2,033 lb (922 kg).[28][30]
At the Texas High School Powerlifting Championships in April 1990,Terry Todd, a professor ofkinesiology at theUniversity of Texas at Austin and former weightlifter, spotted Henry and persuaded him to go toAustin after he graduated to train in theOlympic style of weightlifting.[28] In July 1990 at the USPF Senior National Powerlifting Championships, 19-year-old Henry came second only to the legendary six-time World Powerlifting ChampionKirk Karwoski.[31] Whilepowerlifting relies primarily on brute strength and power, which Henry obviously possessed,Olympic weightlifting is considered more sophisticated, involving more agility, timing, flexibility and technique.[32] There have been few lifters in history who have been able to be successful in both lifting disciplines. Mastering the technique of weightlifting usually takes many years of practice, but Henry broke four national junior records in weightlifting after only eight months of training.[27] In April 1991, he won theUnited States National Junior Championships; 20 days later he placed fourth at theU.S. Senior National Championships, and finished sixth at the Junior World Weightlifting Championships inGermany two months later.[27] Only a few weeks afterwards, he became 1991's International Junior Champion in Powerlifiting as well.[5][10] In Henry's first year in competitive weightlifting, he broke all three junior (20 and under) American records 12 times, and became the United States' topSuperheavyweight, surpassingMario Martinez.[15]
At the age of 19,[5] Henry had already managed to qualify for the weightlifting competition at the1992 Summer Olympics, where he finished tenth in the Super- Heavyweight class.[3][15] Ten months before the 1992 Olympics, Henry had begun training with Dragomir Cioroslan, a bronze medalist at the1984 Summer Olympics, who said that he had "never seen anyone with Mark's raw talent".[15] After the Olympics, Henry became more determined to focus onweightlifting and began competing all over the world. In late 1992 he took the win at theUSA Weightlifting American Open[14] and further proved his dominance on American soil by winning not only theU.S. National Weightlifting Championships, but also theU.S. Olympic Festival Championships in 1993 and 1994.[5][11] At the 1995Pan American Games Henry won a gold, silver and bronze medal.[5][3]
Henry won the ADFPAU.S. National Powerlifting Championships in 1995 with a 2,314.8 lb (1,050.0 kg) rawPowerlifting Total.[9] Despite competing without supportive equipment in contrast to the other competitors, Henry managed to outclass the lifter in second place by 286 lb (130 kg), defeating not only five-timeIPF World Powerlifting Champion and 12 timeUSAPL National Powerlifting ChampionBrad Gillingham, but alsoAmerica's Strongest Man of 1997Mark Philippi.[9] In the process he set all-time world records in the rawdeadlift at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) and thesquat without a squat suit at 948.0 lb (430.0 kg) as well as the all-time drug tested rawtotal at 2,314.8 lb (1,050.0 kg).[33][34][35][36][37] Later that same year in October, he competed in the drug-free Powerlifting World Championships and won again, even though he trained on the powerlifts only sparingly—due his main focus still being on the two Olympic lifts.[38] He not only become World Champion by winning the competition but also bettered his previous all-time squat world record to 953.5 lb (432.5 kg) and his all-time drug tested world record total to 2,336.9 lb (1,060.0 kg).[8][33][38]
In 1996 Henry became theNorth America, Central America, Caribbean Islands (NACAC) Champion.[3] He earned the right to compete at the Olympics by winning theU.S. National Weightlifting Championships in the Spring of 1996 for a third time.[38] During his victory Henry became Senior US American record holder (1993–1997) in the Snatch at 396.83 lb (180.00 kg), Clean and jerk at 485 lb (220 kg), and Total at 881.8 lb (400.0 kg), improving all of his three previous personal bests.[22][39][40] No one in the history of the sports had ever lifted as much as him in the five competitive lifts—thesnatch and theclean and jerk in weightlifting—thesquat,bench press anddeadlift in powerlifting.[5][40]
Henry improved his lifts to 407 lb (185 kg) in the snatch and 507 lb (230 kg) in the clean-and-jerk during his final eight weeks of preparation for the1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.[38] Henry at 6-foot-4-inches tall and 414 lb (188 kg) bodyweight, became the largest athlete in Olympic history and was voted captain of the Olympic weightlifting team.[38][41] He suffered a back injury during the competition and was unable to approach his normal performance level.[5] Due to the injury he had to drop out after his firstclean and jerk attempt and finished with a disappointing 14th place.[3][38][42] His appearance at the Olympics proved to be his last official competition inOlympic weightlifting, as he retired from weightlifting, vowing never to return unless the sport is "cleaned up" ofanabolic steroid use.[38]
Since his career start as a professional wrestler shortly after the Olympics, he broke his leg in the fall of 1996.[38] But by the summer of the following year he had rehabilitated enough to be able to compete at theUSAPL National Powerlifting Championships 1997, where he won the competition to become the U.S. National Powerlifting Champion in the Super Heavyweight class again.[8][38] He had planned to continue heavy training in powerlifting, although his travel schedule as a professional wrestler with theWWF (nowWWE) made sustained training difficult.[38] Mark's WWF contract was unique in many ways, allowing him at least three months off each year from wrestling, so he could train for the national and world championships in weightlifting or powerlifting.[43] Barring injury, Mark had originally hoped to return to the platform in late 1998, to lift for many more years, and to eventually squat at least 1,100 lb (500 kg) without a "squat suit" and to deadlift 1,000 lb (450 kg).[38][43]
Although in early 1998 he was still able to do five repetitions in the bench press with 495 lb (225 kg), three repetitions in the squat with 855 lb (388 kg) (with no suit and no knee wraps), and three repetitions in the standing press with 405 lb (184 kg) in training, while traveling with theWorld Wrestling Federation, he never returned to compete again in official championships in favor of his wrestling career.[38] He weighed 380 lb (170 kg) at that time, and his right upper arm was measured at 24" byTerry Todd.:[38] When asked in September 2003, who the strongest man in the world was,Bill Kazmaier, considered by many to be the greatest strongman of all time, stated: "It would have to be Mark Henry. [...] I think he's one of the strongest men in the history of the world, without a doubt."[44]
Mark Henry in December 2011
Personal records
Official Records
Powerlifting:Done in official Powerlifting meets
Squat – 953.5 lb (432.5 kg)[8]raw with knee wraps (done on October 29, 1995WDFPF)
→ currentWDFPF world record squat in SHW class (+regardless of weight class and equipment) since 1995[8][20]
→ former all-time unequipped squat world record for over a decade in SHW class until 2010[45][46][47][48] (+regardless of weight class until 2007)[49][8][20][21][33]
→ Senior US American weightlifting total record 1993–1997 in SHW class (+regardless of weight class)[22]
Strongman:done in official competition and during exhibitions
Apollon's wheels: 366 lb (166 kg) x 3 reps (2002 Arnold Strongman Classic) (former world record)[56]
→ Henry is either the fourth or the fifth verified man to clean and press the legendary implement afterLouis 'Apollon' Uni himself in the 1890s (which is disputed),Charles Rigoulot in 1930,John Davis in 1949 andNorbert Schemansky in 1954. Unlike any of the predecessors, he cleaned it using double overhand grip and push pressed it without involving a jerk. Despite this performance was eclipsed byŽydrūnas Savickas in 2003, and bettered each year by one more rep, all his cleans were continental cleans. It was not surpassed until 2006, whenVasyl Virastyuk andMikhail Koklyaev performed 5 reps using the exact clean Henry used.
Deadlift: 884 lb (401 kg) x 2 repsoil filled plates (2002 Arnold Strongman Classic)[56]
Hummer push: 7,154 lb (3,245 kg) for 12 meters (2002 Arnold Strongman Classic)[56]
Timber carry: 816 lb (370 kg) for 11 meters on an inclined ramp (2002 Arnold Strongman Classic)[56]
Inch dumbbell: 172 lb (78 kg) (2002 Association of Oldetime Barbell & Strongmen, Dinner event) (joint world record)[57]
→ Henry is the first man in history to clean the legendary dumbbell. He also proceeded to push press it.[58]
Combined official records:
Combined official Supertotal (official weightlifting total + official powerlifting total):
881.8 lb (400.0 kg) + 2,336.9 lb (1,060.0 kg) = 3,218.7 lb (1,460.0 kg)[59][60][44]
Squat: 1,006 lb (456 kg)raw with wraps(According to Henry himself. Dr. Terry Todd reported Henry was capable of a 1,000 pounds (450 kg) squat in summer 1996.)[62]
Bench press: 601 lb (273 kg)raw
Deadlift: 924 lb (419 kg)rawIn training, prior to his 903.9 pounds (410.0 kg) raw deadlift in competition, 1995.
In a two-week period in spring 1998, Henry squatted 855 lb (388 kg) raw without knee wraps for 3 reps, bench pressed 495 lb (225 kg) for 5 reps, and overhead pressed 405 lb (184 kg) for 3 reps, all while travelling with the WWF.[38]
407 lb (185 kg) + 507 lb (230 kg) + 1,006 lb (456 kg) + 601 lb (273 kg) + 924 lb (419 kg) = 3,445 lb (1,563 kg)
Professional wrestling career
World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment / WWE (1996–2021)
Early career (1996–1997)
At the age of 24, Henry made his first appearance onWorld Wrestling Federation (WWF) programming on the March 11, 1996 episode ofMonday Night Raw, where hepress slammedJerry Lawler, who was ridiculing Henry while interviewing him in the ring. After Henry competed in the1996 Summer Olympics, the WWF signed him to a ten-year contract.[3] Trained by professional wrestlerLeo Burke, his first feud in the WWF was with Lawler. At the pay-per-view event,SummerSlam on August 18, Henry came to the aid ofJake Roberts who was suffering indignity at the hands of Lawler. Henry's debut wrestling match was against Lawler in ahouse show at theBaltimore Arena on September 21. Henry defeated Lawler in a rematch atIn Your House 10: Mind Games on September 22.[3] The feud continued at house shows during subsequent weeks.[63] On the November 4 episode ofRaw, Henry served as a cornerman forBarry Windham in a match againstGoldust. He was set to team with Windham,Marc Mero andRocky Maivia to take on the team of Lawler,Goldust,Hunter Hearst Helmsley andCrush atSurvivor Series on November 17, but was replaced by Jake Roberts when he was forced to withdraw from the event due to injury. On the November 17 episode ofWWF Superstars of Wrestling, Henry defeated Hunter Hearst Helmsley, Crush, and Goldust in atug of war contest. Henry also worked on several shows forUnited States Wrestling Association. Henry's career was then stalled as he took time off over the next year to heal injuries and engage in further training.
In November 1997, he returned to the ring, making his televised return the following month.[64] By the end of the year, he was a regular fixture on WWF programming, defeating theBrooklyn Brawler on the December 15 episode ofRaw, and beatingThe Sultan on the December 27 episode ofWWF Shotgun Saturday Night.
When The Nation disbanded, he engaged in a short feud with The Rock, defeating him atJudgment Day: In Your House on October 18 with help from Brown, and then forming a permanent team with Brown, gainingIvory as amanager.[3][67]
During the next year, Henry gave himself the nickname "Sexual Chocolate", adopting aladies' mancharacter. He first resumed his storyline with former enemyChyna, but it ended with her betraying him in a controversial angle including atransvestite.[3] AtSummerSlam on August 22, 1999, during a match between Brown andJeff Jarrett for theWWF Intercontinental andWWF European Championships (both held at the time by Brown), Henry turned on Brown and helped Jarrett win the match and the titles.[68] The next night, Henry was awarded the European title by Jarrett in return for his help.[69] Henry lost the title one month later to Brown at theUnforgiven pay-per-view on September 26.[70]
The night after he tried to make up with Brown[71] and later in the week claimed to be a sex addict[72] resulting in him attending a sex therapy session a week later where he claimed that he lost his virginity at eight years old to his sister, and had just slept with her two days ago.[73] He was part of a storyline about him overcoming sex addiction, which he accomplished thanks toThe Godfather.[3]
After this twist, Henryturned into afan favorite, and was seen on television romancing WWF veteran wrestlerMae Young as part of the "Sexual Chocolate" character.[3] He feuded withViscera during this time, as part of a storyline where Viscerasplashed Mae Young while she was carrying Henry's child.[74][75] Young later gave birth to ahand.
Ohio Valley Wrestling and strongman competitions (2000–2002)
On February 22, 2002, inColumbus, Ohio the competition, consisting of four events, designed to determine the lifter with the greatest overall body power, began.[5] Henry surprised everybody when he won the first event, setting a world record in the process by lifting theApollon's Axle three times overhead.[47] Only three men in history had ever been able to press it at all.[47][77] By deadlifting 885 lb (401 kg) for two repetitions in the second event and easily pushing a 5,000 lb (2,300 kg) or moreHummer with nearly flat tires in the third event, Henry kept his lead continuously throughout the competition and never gave it up again.[47][76] In the final "Farmer's Walk"-event Henry quickly carried the roughly 850 lb (390 kg) of railroad ties up an incline, winning the whole competition convincingly[47][76] to capture the winning prize — aUS$75,000Hummer, a vacation cruise and $10,000 cash.[5][76]
Since Henry had only trained for four months and defeated the crème-de-là-crème of worldwide strongmen, who had been practicing for years, his win was a shock for strongman experts worldwide,[47] but remained basically unnoticed by the wrestling audience. Henry proved to be worthy of the title "World's Strongest Man" not only by winning the contest, but also by achieving it in record time. By doing so he was again seen as the legit "strongest man in the world" by many lifting experts for a second time since 1996.[38][59][47][60][44][78]
World's Strongest Man (2002–2005)
Henry returned to the WWF in April 2002 and was sent to theSmackDown! brand, where he developed an in-ring persona of performing "tests of strength" while other wrestlers took bets on the tests, but the gimmick met with little success.[79] During this time he competed against such superstars asChris Jericho andChristian.[3] After being used sporadically on WWE (formerly WWF) television during 2002, as he was training for a weightlifting contest, and suffering a knee injury, Henry was sent back to OVW for more training.[79][3]
In August 2003, Henry returned to WWE television on theRaw roster as a heel where he found some success as a member of "Thuggin' And Buggin' Enterprises", a group of African Americans led byTheodore Long who worked a race angle in which they felt they were victims of racism and were being held down by the "white man".[3] During that time, Henry was involved in a brief program withWorld Heavyweight ChampionGoldberg when the former champion,Triple H, put a bounty on Goldberg.[79] This was followed by a brief rivalry withShawn Michaels, before he engaged in a rivalry withBooker T.[80][81][82] After defeating Booker T twice, once in astreet fight and once in a six-man tag team match, he lost to Booker T atArmageddon on December 14.[83][84][85] At a practice session in OVW in February 2004, Henry tore hisquadriceps muscle, and was out for over a year after undergoing surgery.[79][3] Henry was then utilized by WWE as a public relations figure during his recovery, before returning to OVW to finish out 2005.[3]
Henry in 2007
Various feuds (2005–2007)
During the December 30, 2005 episode ofSmackDown!, Henry made his return to television, as he interfered in aWWE Tag Team Championship match, joining withMNM (Joey Mercury,Johnny Nitro, andMelina), to help them defeatRey Mysterio andBatista for the championship.[86] A week later on the January 6, 2006 episode ofSmackDown!, Henry got in a confrontation with theWorld Heavyweight Champion, Batista, and went on to interfere in asteel cage match between MNM and the team of Mysterio and Batista, helping MNM to retain their titles.[87] Henry then had another match with Batista at a live event where Batista received a severely torntriceps that required surgery, forcing him to vacate his title. On the January 13 episode ofSmackDown!, Henry was involved in aBattle Royal for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship. He was the last man eliminated byKurt Angle, who won the title.[88][89]
A week later, Henry received assistance fromDaivari, who turned on Angle and announced that he was the manager of Henry.[90] With Daivari at his side, Henry faced Angle for the World Heavyweight Championship at theRoyal Rumble on January 29, losing when Angle hit him with a chair (without the referee seeing) and pinned him with aroll-up.[91]
On the March 3 episode ofSmackDown!, Henry interfered in a World Heavyweight Championship match between Angle andThe Undertaker, attacking The Undertaker when he was seconds from possibly winning the title. Henry then performed adiving splash on The Undertaker, driving him through the announcer's table. Henry was then challenged to a casket match by The Undertaker atWrestleMania 22 on April 2.[92] Henry vowed to defeat The Undertaker and end hisundefeated streak at WrestleMania, but The Undertaker defeated him.[93] There were talks about Henry ending the streak backstage, but did not succeed. In an interview onHeavy, Henry stated that the decision was close and that if they did ask him about it he would have refused, stating he did not want to carry that weight.[94] Henry had a rematch against The Undertaker on the April 7 episode ofSmackDown!. It ended in a no-contest when Daivari introduced his debuting client,The Great Khali. Khali went to the ring and attacked The Undertaker, starting a new feud and ending Henry's.[95]
During the rest of April and May, Henry gained a pinfall victory over the World Heavyweight Champion, Rey Mysterio in a non-title match.[96] Henry entered theKing of the Ring Tournament, and lost toBobby Lashley in the first round.[97] He later cost Kurt Angle his World Heavyweight Championship opportunity against Mysterio on the April 28 episode ofSmackDown!, when he jumped off the top rope and crushed Angle through a table. Henry was then challenged by Angle to face off atJudgment Day on May 21. Henry then sent a "message" to Angle by defeatingPaul Burchill on the May 12 episode ofSmackDown!.[98] At Judgment Day, Henry defeated Angle by countout.[99] Although winning, Angle got his revenge after the match by hitting Henry with a chair and putting him through a table.[99]
Henry later went on what was referred to as a "path of destruction", causing injuries to numerous superstars. Henry "took out"Chris Benoit and Paul Burchill on this path of destruction, and attacked Rey Mysterio andChavo Guerrero.[100][101][102] These events led up to a feud with the returning Batista, whom Henry had put out of action with a legitimate injury several months beforehand. When Batista returned he and Henry were scheduled to face one another atThe Great American Bash on July 23.[103] Weeks before that event, however, on the July 15 episode ofSaturday Night's Main Event, Henry was involved in a six-man tag team match withKing Booker andFinlay against Batista, Rey Mysterio, and Bobby Lashley.[104] During the match, Henry was injured, canceling the scheduled match at The Great American Bash, as Henry needed surgery. Doctors later found that Henry completely tore his patella tendon off the bone and split hispatella completely in two.[105]
Henry returned on the May 11, 2007 episode ofSmackDown!, after weeks of vignettes hyping his return.[106] He attackedThe Undertaker after aWorld Heavyweight Championshipsteel cage match withBatista, allowingEdge to take advantage of the situation and use hisMoney in the Bank contract.[107] Henry then began a short feud withKane, defeating him in aLumberjack Match atOne Night Stand on June 3.[108] Shortly after, Henry made an open challenge to theSmackDown! locker room, which nobody ever accepted. In the coming weeks he faced variousjobbers and quickly defeated them all.[109][110] On the August 3 episode ofSmackDown!, he claimed that nobody accepted the open challenge to step into the ring with him because of what he had done to The Undertaker, presenting footage of his assault on The Undertaker.[111] The Undertaker responded over the following weeks, playing various mind games with Henry.[112][113] Henry finally faced The Undertaker again atUnforgiven on September 16, losing to him after being given aLast Ride.[114] Two weeks later, Henry lost a rematch to The Undertaker after The Undertaker performed achokeslam on Henry.[115]
After a short hiatus, Henry returned to WWE programming on the October 23 episode ofECW, attackingKane, along withThe Great Khali andBig Daddy V.[116] Henry then began teaming with Big Daddy V against Kane andCM Punk, and was briefly managed by Big Daddy V's manager,Matt Striker.[79] AtArmageddon on December 16, Henry and Big Daddy V defeated Kane and Punk.[117] BeforeWrestleMania XXIV aired on March 30, 2008, Henry participated in a 24-man battle royal to determine the number one contender for theECW Championship, but failed to win.[118]
As part of the2008 WWE Supplemental Draft on June 25, Henry was drafted to theECW brand.[119] AtNight of Champions on June 29, Henry defeatedKane andBig Show in atriple threat match to capture theECW Championship in his debut match as an ECW superstar. This was his first world championship in WWE, which also made him the fourth African-American world champion in WWE history.[120] Upon winning the title, it was made exclusive to the ECW brand once again. Henry's title win came nearly a full decade after he was awarded theEuropean Championship, which was back in 1999 and the only title he held in WWE.[23] A few weeks later,Hall of FamerTony Atlas returned to WWE to act as Henry's manager. Shortly after,ECW General Manager, Theodore Long, unveiled a new, entirely platinum ECW Championship belt design.[121] On August 17, Henry defended the title againstMatt Hardy atSummerSlam after getting himselfdisqualified; however championships cannot change hands via disqualification, meaning that Henry retained the title.[122] Henry later lost the title to Hardy atUnforgiven on September 7 in theChampionship Scramble match.[123]
Henry attempted to regain the championship throughout the year, and had a match against Hardy atNo Mercy on October 5, but failed as he was unsuccessful.[124] Henry and Atlas then engaged in a feud against Finlay andHornswoggle, which included Henry losing aBelfast Brawl to Finlay atArmageddon on December 14.[125][126] On the March 3, 2009 episode ofECW, Henry defeatedSantino Marella to qualify for theMoney in the Bank ladder match atWrestleMania 25 on April 5, and was involved in a series of matches with the other competitors onRaw,SmackDown, andECW.[127][128][129] He was unsuccessful at WrestleMania, however, asCM Punk won the match.[130] In May, Henry began a rivalry withEvan Bourne, which began after Bourne defeated Henry by countout on the May 26 episode ofECW.[131]
On June 29, Henry was traded to theRaw brand and redebuted for the brand that night as the third opponent in a three-on-onegauntlet match againstWWE ChampionRandy Orton, which he won, turning Henry into aface in the process.[132] In August, Henry formed a tag team withMontel Vontavious Porter and the two challenged theUnified WWE Tag Team ChampionsJeri-Show (Chris Jericho andThe Big Show) for the title atBreaking Point on September 13, but were unsuccessful.[133][134] They stopped teaming afterwards, becoming involved in separate storylines, until the February 15, 2010 episode ofRaw in which they defeated the Unified WWE Tag Team ChampionsThe Big Show andThe Miz in a non-title match.[135] The next week they challenged The Big Show and The Miz in a title match but were unsuccessful.[136] AtExtreme Rules on April 25, Henry and MVP fought for a chance to become number one contenders to the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship, but were the second team eliminated in agauntlet match by The Big Show and The Miz. Ultimately,The Hart Dynasty (Tyson Kidd andDavid Hart Smith) won the match.[137]
On the April 25, 2011 episode ofRaw, Henry was drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the2011 WWE draft. In the main event of the night, Henry attacked his teammates John Cena andChristian, turningheel in the process.[144] On the May 27 episode ofSmackDown, Henry participated in a Triple Threat match againstSheamus andChristian to decide the number one contender to theWorld Heavyweight Championship, which was won by Sheamus.[145] On the June 17 episode ofSmackDown, Henry was scheduled to face an angry and emotionally unstable Big Show, who warned Henry not to get into the ring; Henry ignored the warning and Big Show assaulted him before the match could begin.[146] This act ignited a feud between the two; Henry attacked Big Show both backstage and during matches[147][148] while on the July 1 episode ofSmackDown, Big Show's music played during Henry's match againstRandy Orton, causing Henry to be counted out and costing him a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. Henry reacted by destroying the audio equipment and attacking a technician.[149] Henry faced Big Show in a singles match atMoney in the Bank and won. After the match, Henry crushed Big Show's leg with a chair, (kayfabe) injuring him, an act Henry later referenced as an induction into the "Hall of Pain".[150] Henry did the same toKane on the next episode ofSmackDown,[151] and in the months ahead,Vladimir Kozlov andThe Great Khali suffered the same fate.[152][153]
On the July 29 episode ofSmackDown, Henry was informed that he could no longer compete as no one dared to fight him, but Sheamus interrupted, saying that he wasn't afraid of Henry before slapping him.[154] AtSummerSlam, Henry defeated Sheamus by count-out after slamming him through a ring barricade.[155] On the August 19 episode ofSmackDown, Henry won a 20-man Battle Royal to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship to face Randy Orton atNight of Champions,[156] and throughout weeks onSmackDown andRaw, Henry regularly attacked Orton, getting an advantage over him.[157][158][159][160] At Night of Champions, Henry defeated Orton to win the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time.[24][161] Henry successfully defended the title against Orton atHell in a Cell in aHell in a Cell match.[162]
On the October 7 episode ofSmackDown, Big Show returned and chokeslammed Henry through the announce table, thus earning a title shot against Henry atVengeance.[163] During the match, Henrysuperplexed Big Show from the top rope, causing the ring to collapse from the impact and the match to be ruled a no contest.[164] Henry began a feud with the Money in the Bank briefcase holderDaniel Bryan on the November 4 episode ofSmackDown, challenging Bryan to a non-title match to prove that Bryan could not become champion. During the match, Big Show knocked out Henry, making him win by disqualification. Big Show then urged Bryan to cash in his contract, but Henry recovered and attacked both Bryan and Big Show before the match could start.[165] AtSurvivor Series, Henry retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Big Show after a low blow that disqualified Henry. Angered by Henry's cowardice, Big Show crushed Henry's ankle with a steel chair.[166] On the November 25 episode ofSmackDown, Henry was knocked out again by Big Show, at which point Bryan cashed in his briefcase for a title match and quickly pinned Henry. However, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long revealed that Henry was not medically cleared to compete and voided the match, so Henry remained champion and the briefcase was returned to Bryan.[167] Later that night, Bryan won a fatal-four-way match to face Henry for the World Heavyweight Championship in asteel cage.[168] On the November 29 episode ofSmackDown, Henry defeated Bryan in a steel cage match to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.[169]
Then atTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Henry lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Big Show in achairs match. After the match, Henry knocked Big Show out, resulting in Daniel Bryan cashing in his Money in the Bank contract to win his first World Heavyweight Championship.[170] On the January 20 episode ofSmackDown, Bryan retained the championship against Henry in a lumberjack match after Bryan provoked the lumberjacks to come in and attack them to cause a no contest.[171] At the2012 Royal Rumble event, Henry faced Bryan and Big Show in a triple threat steel cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship; Bryan escaped the cage to retain the title.[172] On the February 3 episode ofSmackDown, Henry was suspended indefinitely (in storyline) by SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long, after Henry physically accosted Long as he demanded a one-on-one rematch that night with Bryan.[173] In reality, Henry had hyper-extended his knee the previous week.[174] Henry returned to in-ring action on the February 20 episode ofRaw SuperShow, losing to Sheamus.[175] On the April 2 and 9 episodes ofRaw SuperShow, Henry facedCM Punk for theWWE Championship which he won by count-out and disqualification; as a result, Punk retained his title.[176][177] On the April 16 episode ofRaw SuperShow, Punk defeated Henry in a no-disqualification, no count-out match to retain the WWE Championship.[178] On May 14, Henry announced he was going under a career-threatening surgery for an injury.[179]
After a nine-month absence, Henry made his return on the February 4, 2013 episode ofRaw, brutally attacking Daniel Bryan,Rey Mysterio andSin Cara.[180] Four days later onSmackDown, Henry defeated Randy Orton to earn a spot in the number one contenders' Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship atElimination Chamber.[181] At the pay-per-view on February 17, Henry eliminated Daniel Bryan and Kane before being eliminated by Randy Orton. After his elimination, Henry attacked the three remaining participants before being escorted out by WWE officials.[182] Henry then began a feud withRyback after several non-verbal confrontations.[183][184][185] On the March 15 episode ofSmackDown, Henry was defeated by Ryback via disqualification, following interference fromThe Shield. Afterward, Henry delivered the World's Strongest Slam to Ryback three times in a row.[186] On April 7 atWrestleMania 29, Henry defeated Ryback in a singles match.[187] Later that month, Henry reignited a feud with Sheamus by repeatedly attacking Sheamus backstage.[188][189] Henry and Sheamus then challenged each other in tests of strength, but with Sheamus unable to best Henry, he resorted to attacking Henry withBrogue Kicks.[190][191] After Sheamus (during his match)Brogue Kicked Henry (who was on commentary), Henry snapped and brutally whipped Sheamus with a belt.[192] This led to astrap match on May 19 atExtreme Rules, where Sheamus emerged victorious.[193] With the loss to Sheamus, Henry declared that he was "going home".[194]
After being absent from television due to injuries,[195] Henry usedsocial media to tease his retirement.[196] On the June 17 episode ofRaw, Henry returned, interrupting WWE ChampionJohn Cena and delivering an emotional retirement speech, which was revealed as a ruse when Henry gave Cena aWorld's Strongest Slam after concluding his speech.[197] The segment was highly praised by fans and critics.[198][199][200] With Henry stating his intent to challenge for the "only title he's never held", he was granted a WWE Championship match against Cena atMoney in the Bank.[197] On July 14 at the pay-per-view, Henry failed in his title challenge against Cena after submitting to theSTF.[201] The following night onRaw, Henry cut a promo to congratulate Cena on his win and asked for a rematch forSummerSlam, but was ultimately attacked by The Shield, turningface in the process for the first time since 2011.[202] Henry continued his face turn the following week, by confronting The Shield and teaming together withThe Usos to fend them off.[203] Henry and the Usos went on to lose to The Shield in two six-man tag team matches, the first on the July 29 episode ofRaw, and the second on the August 7 episode ofMain Event.[204][205] On the August 12 episode ofRaw, Henry competed in a Battle Royal to determine the number one contender for theUnited States Championship, but was the last man eliminated byRob Van Dam. After the match, Henry and Van Dam were confronted by The Shield, before the returning Big Show came to their aid.[206] Four days later onSmackDown, Henry, Show, and Van Dam defeated The Shield in a six-man tag team match.[207] After a suspected hamstring injury on August 31 at theTD Garden inBoston Massachusetts, Henry was cleared to compete.[208] Henry, however, took time off and during his time off, he dropped down to 405 lb (184 kg) and shaved his head bald.
Henry returned to in-ring action on November 24, 2013, atSurvivor Series, answering Ryback's open challenge and defeating him.[209] On the January 6, 2014 episode ofRaw, Henry tried to confrontBrock Lesnar during separate encounters after Lesnar's return, resulting in Henry receiving anF-5 the first time and then Lesnar injured Henry's arm after getting it in a kimura lock hold, causing Henry to wail in pain and be absent.[210] He returned on February 10 episode ofRaw, and answeredDean Ambrose's open challenge for the United States Championship, but was unable to win the title due to interference by the rest of The Shield. In March, Henry suffered another attack from Lesnar, this time resulting in Henry receiving anF-5 through the announcing table.
On the August 4 episode ofRaw, Henry defeatedDamien Sandow after a few months absence.[211] That same week onSmackDown, Henry formed a tag team withBig Show to defeat RybAxel (Ryback andCurtis Axel).[212] On the August 18 episode ofRaw, Henry entered a feud withRusev by attacking him.[213] This set up a match between Henry and Rusev atNight of Champions, which he lost by submission.[214] The following night onRaw, he lost to Rusev again by knockout via submission.[215] On the October 27 episode ofRaw, Henry attacked Big Show during their tag team match againstGold and Stardust, and turning heel in the process.[216] On the November 3 episode ofRaw, Henry lost to Big Show via disqualification and slammed Big Show onto the steel steps.[217] On the November 10Raw, he joinedThe Authority's team to faceJohn Cena's team atSurvivor Series.[218] On November 23 at Survivor Series, Henry was the first to be eliminated from Team Authority 50 seconds into the match after being knocked out by Big Show.[219][220] Henry then took another hiatus due to an unspecified injury.
Henry returned on the March 12, 2015 episode ofSmackDown, confrontingRoman Reigns for having a lack of identity and for not being respected, resulting in Reigns attacking Henry. The attack caused Henry to become a believer in Reigns, and turning face in the process.[221] Henry was unsuccessful in theElimination Chamber match for the vacantIntercontinental Championship atElimination Chamber, replacing Rusev who was injured, but was eliminated by Sheamus[222] AtRoyal Rumble pre-show on January 24, 2016, Henry teamed withJack Swagger to win a Fatal 4-Way tag team match to earn their spots in the Royal Rumble match.[223] Despite this victory, Henry entered the Rumble match at #22 and lasted only 47 seconds when he was quickly eliminated byThe Wyatt Family.[223] AtWrestleMania 32, Henry entered his thirdAndré the GiantMemorial Battle Royal, where he made it to the final six competitors until being eliminated by Kane andDarren Young.[224]
Following WrestleMania 33, Henry retired and transitioned into a backstage producers role. He later made his return in a backstagecameo at theRaw 25 Years event in January 2018.[230] On March 19, 2018, it was announced that Henry would be inducted into theWWE Hall of Fame by Big Show, who was one of his closest friends in WWE.[25] On April 27, at theGreatest Royal Rumble, Henry participated in the event'sRoyal Rumble match, scoring 3 eliminations, but was himself eliminated by Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler.[231][232] In early 2019, Henry took on a backstage mentoring role helping talent work on their off-air attitude, including cleanliness and respect in the locker room.[233]
Henry appeared on the January 4, 2021 episode ofRaw, on itsRaw Legends Night special, where in he appeared riding on a scooter due to an injured leg. He was verbally confronted byRandy Orton in what was his final appearance in WWE.
All Elite Wrestling (2021–2024)
Henry made his debut forAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) on May 30, 2021, atDouble or Nothing where it was announced that he would be a part of the commentary team for its new showAEW Rampage, as well as a coach.[234] On May 27, 2024, Henry announced that he would not be renewing his contract with AEW and would be leaving the company upon its expiration the following day on May 28, 2024.[235]
Return to WWE (2025–present)
On March 22, 2025, it was reported Henry had re-signed with WWE under a Legends deal.
Personal life
Henry lives inAustin, Texas with his wife Jana; they have a son and a daughter.[236] He drives aHummer that he won in the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic.[237] On September 10, 2012, Henry served as one of the pallbearers for actorMichael Clarke Duncan's funeral.[238]
In March 2019, Henry pledged to donate his brain toCTE research once he dies.[239]
results:[8]Powerlifting Total – 2,248.7 lb (1,020.0 kg) (903.9 + 496.0 + 848.8 lb (410.0 + 225.0 + 385.0 kg)raw with wraps
Records*
This article needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(September 2024)
Teen III (18–19 years) Level
Teen-age World Records in the squat at 832 lb (377 kg) and total at 2,033 lb (922 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) set in April 1990 at The National High School Powerlifting Championships at age 18[30]
Teen-age US American Records in the squat at 832 lb (377 kg), bench press 501 lb (227 kg), dead lift 700 lb (320 kg) and total at 2,033 lb (922 kg) set in April 1990 at The National High School Powerlifting Championships at age 18[30]
Texas state and US American Teen-age record holder in all fourpowerlifting categories – thesquat at 832 lb (377 kg),bench press at 525 lb (238 kg) anddeadlift at 815 lb (370 kg) as well as thetotal at 2,033 lb (922 kg) at age 19.[28][30]
Current Texas state and US American Teen-age record holder in the squat at 936.75 lb (424.90 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since 1991[246][247]
Collegiate Level
Current Texas State Collegiate Record holder in the squat at 936.75 lb (424.90 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since 1991[248] (best in America as well but not registered as such)[249]
Junior Level (20–23 years)
Current Texas State Junior Record holder in the deadlift at 850 lb (390 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since 1995[250] (best in America as well but not registered as such)[251]
Senior Level (24+ years)
Current Texas State Record holder in the squat at 954 lb (433 kg), the deadlift at 950 lb (430 kg) and the total at 2,337 lb (1,060 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since 1995[252]
Former All-time raw (unequipped)squat World Record holder at 948 lb (430 kg)(drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) from July 16, 1995, to October 29, 1995[9][37]
Former All-time raw (unequipped)squat World Record holder at 953.5 lb (432.5 kg)(drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class from October 29, 1995, to June 7, 2010**[33][45][46][47][48] (+regardless of weight class until November 4, 2007***)[49]
Former All-time raw (unequipped)deadlift World Record holder at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg)(drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class from July 16, 1995, to May 23, 2010****[33][45][51] (+regardless of weight class until July 4, 2009*****)[52]
Current All-timedrug-tested raw (unequipped)squat World Record holder at 953.5 lb (432.5 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since October 29, 1995[33]
Current All-timedrug-tested raw (unequipped)deadlift World Record holder at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) in SHW classonly since July 16, 1995[33][36]
Current All-timedrug-tested raw (unequipped)Powerlifting Total World Record holder at 2,336.9 lb (1,060.0 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since October 29, 1995[33]
Current All-time American Record holder in therawdeadlift at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg)(drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class) since July 16, 1995[19][253][254]
Current American Record holder in thedeadlift at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg)(drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class and equipment) since July 16, 1995[19][53]
Current All-time US National Championship Record holder in thedeadlift at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg)(drug-tested as well as non drug-tested) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class and equipment) since July 16, 1995[19][54]
CurrentWDFPF World Record holder in the squat at 953.5 lb (432.5 kg), the deadlift at 865.3 lb (392.5 kg) and the total at 2,336.9 lb (1,060.0 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class and equipment) since October 29, 1995 (categorized as "open equipped", despite performed in singlet&knee sleeves only/without suit)[20][21]
Current USAPL US American Record holder in the deadlift at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class and equipment) since July 16, 1995[19][253][254][53][54]
Current US National Championship Record holder in thedeadlift at 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) in SHW class (+regardless of weight class and equipment) since July 16, 1995[19][54]
Mark Henry was voted in the All-time Top 25 All-Mens US Powerlifting Nationals Team in 2007.[253]
Mark Henry's 948 lb (430 kg) raw squat and 903.9 lb (410.0 kg) deadlift, done on July 16, 1995, is the joint-seventeenth highest raw "squat-pull-2-lift-total"(squat+deadlift=1,851.9 lb (840.0 kg)) ever lifted in a competition.[255]
Mark also holds the fourth heaviestdrug-tested raw (unequipped)Powerlifting Total in history at 2,336.9 lb (1,060.0 kg),[33]
Olympic Games team member representing USA at the Olympics 1992 in Barcelona, Spain, finishing 10th place in SHW division at age 21[32]
Team Captain of the Olympic Weightlifting team representing USA at the Olympics 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, finishing 14th in SHW division due to back injury at age 25[32]
First man in history to one-hand clean and push press the "unliftable"Thomas Inch dumbbell (172 lb (78 kg);2+3⁄8 inches (6.0 cm) diameter handle)[261][262]
^Andrew Ravens (April 27, 2018)."WWE Greatest Royal Rumble Results - April 27, 2018".PWMania - Wrestling News - WWE News, Elimination Chamber, Spoilers, Results, Rumors, AEW.Archived from the original on April 28, 2018. RetrievedApril 28, 2018.
United States
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