Mark Henry, known as the World’s Strongest Man, has opened up about a difficult period in his WWE career that led him to struggle with depression. Despite a storied career that saw him capture the World Heavyweight Championship in 2011, Henry faced significant personal challenges when WWE’s plans for him changed unexpectedly.
The Power Ballin’ Team and Its Fallout
Henry, who formed the popular “Power Ballin’” team with MVP in 2008, shared that he was deeply affected when WWE chose to pivot from their planned push. Instead of winning the tag titles and heading to WrestleMania as originally planned, the company opted to go with a new pairing of Chris Jericho and Big Show, known as “JeriShow.”
In an emotional interview on Busted Open Radio, Henry described his reaction:
“We were supposed to win the tag titles and go on to WrestleMania, but the writers came up with something called ‘JeriShow,’ and they went with that. It’s their company, do what you do. But I went into a depression about it and didn’t realize it. And when they ended Power Ballin,’ it was over.”
Henry recalled being told to remove the “WSM” (World’s Strongest Man) from his wrestling gear and instead wear red, working with Finlay and Hornswoggle in a series of comedic segments. This shift to a midcard role was a significant blow to Henry, both professionally and personally:
“They tell me that they wanted me to take the ‘WSM’ off [my wrestling gear] and just wear red, and you’re gonna go and work with Finlay and Hornswoggle and just do some fun-lovin’ stuff. I was this in-between good guy, midcard deal, and I hated it. I hated it.”
Struggle with the “Kool-Aid Man” Comparison
The shift in Henry’s role led to unwanted comparisons to the “Kool-Aid Man,” which further impacted his morale. Henry explained:
“I’m wearing all red, so I hear people in the crowd going ‘Hey Kool-Aid!’ Like I’m the Kool-Aid Man. They started having signs, and at first, it was funny. Having ‘WSM’ on the Kool-Aid jug. And I’m like, ‘Alright come on man, cut it out.’ And then it became ‘Man I hate that dude.’”
Henry’s response was to focus on getting back in shape, using the gym as a form of therapy. He began training again with WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas, which helped him regain his confidence and passion for wrestling:
“When you look at yourself and go ‘Ah ****, I gotta get myself in better shape,’ I told myself if I didn’t get myself in better shape, I was going to get let go. After that, I started riding with Tony Atlas. We were back in the gym again. That was my therapy, being in the gym. It just always was home for me.”
Potential Reunion with MVP
Mark Henry recently concluded his time in AEW, but the wrestling world is abuzz with speculation that MVP might be heading there as well. With MVP’s WWE contract nearing its end, a reunion of the Power Ballin’ team in Tony Khan’s promotion could be on the horizon.
