Why Mark Henry's WWE Contract Caused An Uproar In WWE's Locker Room
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For someone who didn't have any experience in the wrestling business, "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry generated a successful career in WWE. Someone who was in the company for over two decades, Mark Henry made a name for himself through a variety of gimmicks that appealed to fans. From the "Sexual Chocolate" persona during the Attitude Era to the "Hall of Pain" gimmick in 2011, there's a reason why Mark Henry got inducted into the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame. Mark Henry was treated as a potential prospect when first signing with WWE, earning a contract that's said to have been worth $250,000 a year, which generated some controversy behind the scenes.
Related: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Mark Henry's Time In WWE
Mark Henry Makes His Mark After His WWE Debut
Despite the constant start-and-stop pushes, Mark Henry generated a respectable WWE career as he wrestled for WWE for over twenty years. Among the likes of Kane, Triple H, The Big Show, and many more, Mark Henry's longevity alone made him an asset to WWE. Signed by the company in 1996 without experience, Mark Henry proved time and time again that he was worth the investment.
Although some could argue that Mark Henry could've gone much further in WWE, especially considering his massive physique and demeanor, Mark Henry's had one of the more successful WWE careers for someone who didn't wrestle anywhere else. After making his WWE debut in early 1996, Mark Henry didn't take long to get noticed on the main roster. And not just solely because of his size, as Mark Henry got involved in some of the most memorable gimmicks of the Attitude Era.
Not long after making his WWE debut, Mark Henry joined the Nation of Domination, one of the more prominent acts during the early years of the Attitude Era. After that panned out, Mark Henry arguably made his best mark during that era when he became the "Sexual Chocolate" persona, still regarded as one of the wackiest gimmicks of the Attitude Era.
Related: 10 Things Fans Should Know About Mark Henry
"The World's Strongest Man" Reigns Supreme And Becomes A World Champion
After a few years on the roster, Mark Henry got sent to OVW in 2000 to improve his wrestling skills. When he came back following the start of the Brand Extension in 2002, Mark Henry adopted a serious tone to his personality, as WWE started focusing more on his real-life background as a weightlifter.
Although Mark Henry was taken more seriously as an intimidating force in the ring, throughout the Ruthless Aggression Era and early 2010s, he became the victim of countless start-and-stop pushes. He was either dominating the main-event scene or floating around in the mid-card position. He had high-profile feuds with superstars like The Undertaker and Kurt Angle during this time but never achieved his fullest potential.
It wasn't until 2011 that Mark Henry had the push of a lifetime. Starting the critically-acclaimed "Hall of Pain" gimmick, Mark Henry was pushed to win the World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Randy Orton at Night of Champions 2011. After winning the World Championship after almost fifteen years in the company and having a successful run for many months, there was no doubt in anyone's mind that Mark Henry had established a legendary career in the business.
Mark Henry's Rookie Contract Generates Controversy Behind The Scenes
Because Mark Henry was an accomplished Olympic Weightlifter before taking up professional wrestling, it's no surprise his background made him an appealing prospect for WWE. However, some may be shocked to know Mark Henry signed a ten-year deal in 1996 that's said to have been worth $250,000 annually. As one would expect, a contract like that caused a bit of controversy in the WWE locker room.
Former WWE announcer Jim Ross discussed the controversy on his Grilling JR podcast, pointing out that some superstars behind the scenes got upset over Mark Henry's lucrative contract. As he alluded to jealousy and insecurities being factors in the uproar over Mark Henry's contract, Jim Ross expressed his disinterest in the drama and basically advised those who were acting insecure to act their age.
It's understandable why some superstars may have been upset over Mark Henry's contract when he first signed with the company. Especially when there are superstars who have wrestled for many years and aren't making the same money Mark Henry was earning, there was a good chance animosity would take place in the locker room.
Related: 10 Things About Mark Henry's Career That Made No SenseRegardless of how one may feel about Mark Henry getting paid $250,000 a year for a ten-year deal, he made his worth by garnering a successful WWE career in the long run. Even though Mark Henry was getting a lucrative deal despite his lack of wrestling experience, the fact that he overcame many hurdles to earn his Hall of Fame career showed he was arguably deserving of it.
