Mark Henry since his return

[FarFromFine]

I had been pleased with how WWE was handling Mark Henry's return until last night's Raw (2/18).

He had been dominate and compelling in his quest to regain the WHC by destroying DB, Rey, Sin Cara, Khali, and getting a clean win over Orton to earn his was into the EC match.

Not winning the EC was not a set back for Henry because of the brilliant way he was booked. Coming in last was crucial because if he was first, second, or third you would know that he wouldn't be able to go the required length of time so we would know he wouldn't be your winner. Instead, they did the right thing with him coming in last and cleaning house. He looks like a beast in eliminating Bryan and Kane and throwing Orton through the chamber door before taking that great suplex on the outside to take him out of the match for a little while. After coming back he gains control again before the 3 left each hit a move on him and he was eliminated.

Then, after that fantastic booking job at the PPV we get Raw. A match against Cara (after Henry dominating last night why would we believe Sin Cara would have any chance) and a tease of a feud with Khali (who Henry already beat cleanly in around 3 minutes a couple weeks ago). I thought Raw would have been a great time for Matthews to interview Henry in the ring Gene Okerland style. They could have them talk about how dominating he was in the EC match and how it took a hit from Swagger, a Jericho codebreaker, and an RKO to take him out then he went back in and destroyed everyone before he left. He was so impressive in the match I think they needed to talk about that to let the fans that didn't order the PPV know. Of course he would have to give the interviewer the WSS before leaving.

With so much momentum and with people genuinely buying into him as a legit WHC contender why have him go all the way to the bottom of the roster to feud with Khali? Do they have no room for him at the top but want to keep him looking like a monster until after Mania? That would be the only non-negative thing that could come of this. I've seen a lot of Hall of Pain t-shirts in the crowds and we all know he is nearing the end of his career so I tend to think we will get another major push for Henry.

With the information we've been given of how WWE has/is planning to book Henry, do you like how they have handled the return and where do you think things are headed for him?

 

[THTRobtaylor]

The ideal opponent for him would be Ryback at Mania - have the two face off against each other over who the best "big man" is. But I think they are gonna go another direction for Ryback.

Henry has been booked well and it's clear they want to give him that one big push before he retires, but that not might be as soon as you think. For the last few years they have rotated Kane and Big Show out for several months a year to prolong their careers, so he will likely step into the gap that one of them vacates - probably Kane after he loses to Bryan at Mania (loser leaves WWE match?)

They put him against Khali for a squash at mania and have him there when Swagger wins the title - American Olympian v "Real" American is an interesting feud going into the Spring and gives both guys a chance to get some spotlight.

 

[AdrianGroves]

I think what this is all leading to is a Henry vs Booker T match at mania. Henry crosses the line and booker interjects himself leading to a showdown.

 

[Wolf Pac]

I'm hoping what happened on Raw between Henry and Khali is just to set up a match between the two on Smackdown, not at Wrestlemania. But if they intend on going with Henry vs. Khali at Mania, they should have Khali stop all this dancing bullcrap and put his Punjabi Playboy gimmick on hold, and bring back his black pants and his old entrance theme to show and bring back his serious side for the match. He could go back to the Playboy gimmick after his match with Henry at Wrestlemania, but just for this one match he brings back the old Great Khali to show that he means business against Henry, and maybe then people won't look at this as a joke of a match, as a squash. Henry should still win though of course as he looks to be in line for one last big push before he retires.

 

[The Butcher]

I think what this is all leading to is a Henry vs Booker T match at mania. Henry crosses the line and booker interjects himself leading to a showdown.

I like this idea a lot. The uproar from the IWC about adding another part-timer to the card would be worth it alone. Kidding there, but I really do like the scenario of Henry going too far and Booker T saying "enough is enough."

Khali vs Henry at 'Mania just doesn't really even sound like a thing, so I'm dismissing it out of hand. If I turn out to be wrong, I'll eat my crow. In the meantime, I thought Henry and Sheamus had a really good, old fashioned battle of the cornfed hosses at SummerSlam year before last. Hooking them back up would be great by me. Ryback vs Henry would be fine, but I'm looking for Ryback to have something else.

Henry has been doing great work and the return has been good. No matter who it's against, I'd like to see the guy at WrestleMania. If only because he'd have a longer ramp to walk up backwards while yelling at his broken opponent.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I read a report today suggesting that WWE might put Sheamus up against Mark Henry at WM. Sheamus & Henry had a couple of good, physical matches during the time in which Henry became this great monster. Both matches ended in a count out with each man getting a win. I wouldn't mind seeing Sheamus face Henry at WM, nor would I mind seeing Ryback go at it with Henry. Sheamus & Ryback are both powerhouses that could deliver a good, hard hitting match against Henry.

I wouldn't read too much into last night's confrontation with The Great Khali. As has been stated, we've seen Henry decimate Khali. His last encounter with Khali wasn't the first time we'd seen Henry go over Khali. I thought Henry walking way from Khali mocking him & turning his back to him, a sure sign of disrespect, was a great heelish thing to do. After all, we all know Henry can dominate Khali because we've seen it. Henry gave the impression that Khali was beneath him, and he's right.

 

[Wolf Pac]

I read a report today suggesting that WWE might put Sheamus up against Mark Henry at WM. Sheamus & Henry had a couple of good, physical matches during the time in which Henry became this great monster. Both matches ended in a count out with each man getting a win. I wouldn't mind seeing Sheamus face Henry at WM, nor would I mind seeing Ryback go at it with Henry. Sheamus & Ryback are both powerhouses that could deliver a good, hard hitting match against Henry.

That's good, I was hoping for Henry vs. Sheamus to happen at Wrestlemania all along. Ever since Mark has come back, he's been more stronger and dominant than ever, he could use someone like Sheamus to test him at the big one. Henry vs. Sheamus, Ryback vs. Show, book it.

 

[FarFromFine]

I didn't think about it just being to set up for a SD match. I wouldnt mind that. I do expect WWE to give Khali a match at WM in hopes that it helps buys in India. The WWE isn't exaggerating much when they talk of how popular Khali is there. I talked with a dude from India in Vegas last year that didn't watch wrestling but knew all about Khali's storyline in WWE at the time.

 

[Bernkastel]

Mark Henry has looked awesome since his return, and his gimmick hasn't missed a single step. The Hall of Pain, depending on creative books it, can easily evolve into something historical in the long term. I was hoping that Henry would get a another title shot, but since that didn't happen I think a feud with either Randy Orton or Jericho would be great.

You've got to think that Sheamus and Ryback would likely be tied up with the Shield. As cliche as these "fourth man" arguments for the Shield are becoming - I'd seriously mark out hard if Henry was revealed as their leader... that would give them a reason to feud with Henry.

 

[HBsam31]

I agree that Henry has been awesome since his return. I have loved the Hall of Pain since he started it. If Swagger and Del Rio Stays a one on one match then I think Sheamus would be a great Mania opponent for Henry. The only way I would want to see Henry vs Ryback is if Henry got the win and I don't see that happening. Henry imo needs to look strong and pick up a Mania win so he can feud for the WHC after Mania. I think Henry's career is probably coming to an end so I would love to see him get one more run with the WHC. A win over Sheamus at Mania would be a great step in that direction.

 

[nWo2]

WWE wants to protect Ryback & Sheamus as much as Henry & Big Show as much as The Shield.

WWE has made matches like CM Punk vs The Rock believable, but Mark Henry needs to be on RAW (home of Ryback, Cena & hopefully Sheamus soon). I have hated his booking throughout most of his career, but now his gimmick & music are awesome and Mark Henry is an established heel. Don't EVER turn him face again.

I'd like to see Henry restart his Hall Of Pain on The Great Khali much like what his Big Show & Kane fueds did for him in his last run.

From there he needs to set his ambitions higher for one more title run AGAINST THE ROCK or against some sort of authority figure. Thats what I wanna see. This fued could wind up being one of the best in The Rock or Booker T's career.

Mark Henry can always get cheap heat squashing most of the WWE roster because he's bigger and more menacing than them all. Henry works best when he's pitted against heroes like Cena, The Rock or Ryback or against other freaks of nature like Big Show, Kane, Great Khali.

 

[Dusty Roids]

I think it really sucks swagger won that EC match. From all competitors he and kane were the one who shouldn't win.

Henry of course has been awesome since his return. He is really doing that monster heel thing. He would have been the best choice vs Del Rio at Mania.

 

[flawd101]

mark henry vs randy orton. orton finally pinned him at elimination chamber.
i would not be surprised with sheamus. but it appears he will be involved with the shield booking. there is still plenty of time to start a fued.
i thought henry's contract was expect to expire at WM. if he isn't signed i expect orton to punt his head at WM.

 

[niallf96]

I hope to God Henry doesnt go one on one with Khali at Mania, that wil be soooo disappointing!!! I personally think a Henry/Sheamus feud would be good, but I think a feud with Orton would have that little bit more backstory to it, what with Henry defeating Orton for the WHC and Orton taking Henry outta the EC and all that

 

[Mustang Sally]

Not winning the EC was not a set back for Henry because of the brilliant way he was booked.

If I were to guess, I'd say he didn't win EC because Jack Swagger was already booked the same way: the guy who spent tons of time out of action coming back and winning a major event immediately after his return.

Personally, of the two, I could sooner see Mark making the bigger impact at the PPV; I have no idea why they chose Swagger over Henry. Still, I would think this is what went into their thinking.

Fear not; Mark Henry will still be getting big things thrown his way.

 

[lekkter_tha_lunatik]

I always assumed that Henry would enter a program with Randy Orton for WM. It makes the most sense because of their history. Orton finally scored a pinfall over Henry at the EC, but not in a singles match. And other than that one pinfall, Henry has crushed Orton on every occasion. It could work...

I see whoever doesn't end up pairing together to take on the Shield, (WAR GAMES MATCH!! Think about it, it was tossed around prior to EC to occur in the chamber, but it got scrapped. What if it never got scrapped at all, just held onto for WM!?! Rather than having it in the chamber, just run a traditional style wargames match. It could work.) whether that is Chis Jericho, Randy Orton, Ryback or Sheamus, will go on to wrestle Henry at WM.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Henry has been booked well and it's clear they want to give him that one big push before he retires, but that not might be as soon as you think.

That's the essence of it, yes. A couple of years ago, we read he was getting set to retire, and it all wound up with him being given the biggest push of his career, even bigger than the one he received at the beginning of his WWE tenure.....bigger because this one led to a substantial title run.

I've wondered how it all came about. Was he serious about retiring or just using the threat of it as a tactic to force management to give him a push? That seems kind of hard to believe, given that they were using him as a jobber to guys like Evan Bourne during that last year before his push.

What changed? What made them decide to turn everything around and give a mega-push to a guy who had been reduced to a pushover big man, seemingly content to lose with a smile and a shrug?

Yes, last year's push was a huge success and this year's seems to be shaping up exactly the same. His perpetual scowl and bad mood persist and the company's hope is surely that Mark can complete it and make money for his employer and himself before the next crippling injury puts him on the sideline for God knows how long.

Or, until he finally retires. But we've heard all that before.

 

[boywithbluehanger]

If I were to guess, I'd say he didn't win EC because Jack Swagger was already booked the same way: the guy who spent tons of time out of action coming back and winning a major event immediately after his return.

Personally, of the two, I could sooner see Mark making the bigger impact at the PPV; I have no idea why they chose Swagger over Henry. Still, I would think this is what went into their thinking.

Fear not; Mark Henry will still be getting big things thrown his way.

The thing is that they needed a heel to face Del Rio for the strap at mania. And between the two guys (Mark Henry and Jack Swagger), they already know that Henry is a solid guy who is on the bottom end of his career whereas the current "We The People" story arc is Swagger's make-or-break opportunity after his difficulty getting over with the crowd prior to this year. So I'm guessing that they wanted to give he and ADR ALL the support they could before deciding to throw them to waste after (what the creative team might percieve as) their failures to get over.

Mark Henry is a guy who can continue to be booked as a legitimate transitional champ which in all honesty, would be perfect for him yet again. It would end Swagger's run with the title if Swagger turns face down the road or it could end ADR's. Either way, the Hall of Pain-Part 2 is a successfully tested storyline that can be used to help put either one of them over later in the year.

 

[ultramattman]

I'm having a hard time figuring out where Mark Henry fits in to Wrestlemania. I'm afraid he could get lost in the shuffle.

BEST CASE SCENARIO: Henry vs. Ryback, they fight to a double countout at WM, rematch in a steel cage at Extreme Rules.

WORST CASE SCENARIO: Henry & Big Show join forces in a feud with Booker T, leading to Henry/Show in a handicap match against a Booker T-led 4-man tag team.

MOST LIKELY SCENARIO: Henry faces a midcard face like Miz or Rey Mysterio.

BEST USE OF HENRY IF THE MATCH HAS TO BE UNDER FIVE MINUTES BECAUSE ALL THE MAIN EVENT MATCHES WILL TAKE TOO MUCH TIME: squashin 3MB in a 3-on-1 handicap match.

 

[FarFromFine]

I'm glad to see all of the support for Mark Henry here. I love the little things he has been doing in the ring. Yelling "that's what I do" and "can't nobody stop me" and stuff like that comes off great, like he really believes that he is the baddest man on the planet. His segments are beginning to be ones that I look most forward to on each show.

I like whoevers idea it was to have him vs Ryback go to a double countout at Mania, as long as Ryback isn't busy with the Shield which he probably will be. Other than that I really am struggling to think of something productive for him to do at WM. If it didn't look like it was going to be Miz/Cesaro I would have enjoyed watching Cesaro vs Henry. I'm not even sure it would matter that it was heel/heel because they both get their fair share of cheers as well.

Maybe he just walks out and cuts a promo complaining about the most dominate man in the WWE being left off of the WM card then says he's not leaving until someone makes him. Have jobber after jobber come down and get World's Strongest Slammed until their are bodies lying everywhere but it would have to end with a big name return to finally take him down. I just can't think of the right person to do it