History of Mark Henry in Timeline

Mark Henry is an American former powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, strongman, and retired professional wrestler, currently signed to WWE under a Legends contract. He achieved significant success in multiple strength sports, transitioning from a decorated powerlifting and weightlifting career to professional wrestling. In WWE, he held the ECW Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, and WWE European Championship. He is known for his imposing physique and his "Hall of Pain" persona, which solidified his place as a dominant force in professional wrestling.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1996: Seen as the legit "strongest man in the world" since 1996

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, but remained basically unnoticed by the wrestling audience. 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.

1997: Training for major lifting competition since 1997

Four months prior to the Arnold Strongman Classic contest, Henry began lifting the heaviest of weights and training for the first time since 1997 for a major lifting competition

August 1999: Turning on D'Lo Brown at SummerSlam

In August 1999 at SummerSlam, Mark Henry betrayed D'Lo Brown during a match against Jeff Jarrett for the WWF Intercontinental and WWF European Championships, helping Jarrett win both titles. The next night, Jarrett awarded Henry the European title for his assistance.

1999: European Championship

Mark Henry's ECW title win came nearly a full decade after he was awarded the European Championship back in 1999.

2000: Sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)

In 2000, Mark Henry was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) to enhance his conditioning and wrestling skills.

2001: Facing world's best strongmen in competition

In 2001, Mark Henry was to face the very best of the best of professional strongmen, such as the #1 ranked strongman in the world, and defending World's Strongest Man competition winner of 2001 Svend Karlsen, World's Strongest Man winner of 2006 Phil Pfister, World Powerlifting Champion of 2001 and equipped deadlift world record holder Andy Bolton, World Muscle Power Champion, Olympic weightlifting Champion Raimonds Bergmanis, and reigning America's Strongest Man of 2001 Brian Schoonveld.

2001: OVW Southern Tag Team Championship tournament and Mother's Death

In mid-2001, Mark Henry teamed with Nick Dinsmore in OVW to compete in a tournament for the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship. Later in 2001, Henry's mother passed away, leading him to take a hiatus from wrestling to compete in the Arnold Strongman Classic in her honor.

February 22, 2002: Winning the Arnold Strongman Classic

On February 22, 2002, Mark Henry won the Arnold Strongman Classic in Columbus, Ohio. He set a world record in the first event by lifting the Apollon's Axle three times overhead. He maintained his lead by deadlifting 885 lb (401 kg) and pushing a 5,000 lb (2,300 kg) Hummer, winning the competition and a US$75,000 Hummer, a vacation cruise and $10,000 cash.

April 2002: Return to WWF on SmackDown! brand

In April 2002, Mark Henry returned to the WWF and was assigned to the SmackDown! brand. He adopted a gimmick of performing "tests of strength", but it was not successful. He later competed against Chris Jericho and Christian.

2002: Arnold Strongman Classic Win

In 2002, Mark Henry won a Hummer at the Arnold Strongman Classic.

August 2003: Return to WWE on Raw as a heel

In August 2003, Mark Henry returned to WWE television on the Raw roster as a heel. He joined "Thuggin' And Buggin' Enterprises" led by Theodore Long, working a race angle. He was involved in programs with Goldberg, Shawn Michaels, and Booker T.

February 2004: Tearing quadriceps muscle

In February 2004, Mark Henry tore his quadriceps muscle during a practice session in OVW, requiring surgery and sidelining him for over a year.

December 30, 2005: Return to television, interfering in WWE Tag Team Championship match

On December 30, 2005, Mark Henry returned to television on SmackDown!, interfering in a WWE Tag Team Championship match by joining with MNM to help them defeat Rey Mysterio and Batista.

2005: Utilized as a public relations figure and returning to OVW

In 2005, Mark Henry was utilized by WWE as a public relations figure during his recovery from a torn quadriceps muscle, before returning to OVW to finish out the year.

January 6, 2006: Confrontation with Batista

On January 6, 2006, Mark Henry confronted World Heavyweight Champion Batista on SmackDown! and interfered in a steel cage match, helping MNM retain their titles.

2006: Mention of Phil Pfister

May 11, 2007: Return to SmackDown! and attack on The Undertaker

On May 11, 2007, Mark Henry returned to SmackDown!, attacking The Undertaker after a World Heavyweight Championship match, allowing Edge to cash in his Money in the Bank contract.

2008: Winning the ECW Championship

In 2008, as part of the WWE Supplemental Draft, Mark Henry was drafted to the ECW brand. At Night of Champions, Henry won the ECW Championship in a triple threat match against Kane and Big Show. He later defended the title against Matt Hardy at SummerSlam but lost it to Hardy at Unforgiven.

2008: Feud with Finlay and Hornswoggle

Throughout the end of 2008, Mark Henry attempted to regain the ECW championship, and engaged in a feud against Finlay and Hornswoggle, which included Henry losing a Belfast Brawl to Finlay at Armageddon.

August 2009: Forming a tag team with Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP)

In August 2009, Mark Henry formed a tag team with Montel Vontavious Porter and challenged Jeri-Show (Chris Jericho and The Big Show) for the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship at Breaking Point, but were unsuccessful.

2009: Money in the Bank ladder match and rivalry with Evan Bourne

At the start of 2009, Mark Henry qualified for the Money in the Bank ladder match at WrestleMania 25, and later began a rivalry with Evan Bourne after Bourne defeated Henry by countout on the May 26 episode of ECW.

February 15, 2010: Defeating The Big Show and The Miz in a non-title match

On February 15, 2010, Mark Henry and Montel Vontavious Porter defeated the Unified WWE Tag Team Champions The Big Show and The Miz in a non-title match on Raw.

April 25, 2011: Drafted to SmackDown and Turning Heel

On April 25, 2011, Mark Henry was drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the 2011 WWE draft. That night, he attacked his teammates John Cena and Christian, turning heel in the process.

September 10, 2012: Pallbearer at Michael Clarke Duncan's Funeral

On September 10, 2012, Mark Henry served as one of the pallbearers for actor Michael Clarke Duncan's funeral.

2012: Championship Matches and Injury

In 2012, Mark Henry lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Big Show at TLC, leading to Daniel Bryan cashing in his Money in the Bank contract. He faced Bryan for the title at the Royal Rumble. He was suspended in storyline in February. In April, he faced CM Punk for the WWE Championship. In May, he announced he was undergoing career-threatening surgery for an injury.

February 4, 2013: Return to Raw and Attack on Wrestlers

On February 4, 2013, Mark Henry returned to Raw after a nine-month absence, attacking Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio, and Sin Cara.

January 6, 2014: Confrontation with Brock Lesnar

On January 6, 2014, Mark Henry confronted Brock Lesnar on Raw after Lesnar's return, resulting in Henry being attacked with an F-5 and later having his arm injured by a kimura lock hold.

November 24, 2014: Defeats Ryback at Survivor Series

On November 24, 2014, Mark Henry returned to in-ring action at Survivor Series, answering Ryback's open challenge and defeating him.

March 12, 2015: Confrontation with Roman Reigns and Face Turn

On March 12, 2015, Mark Henry confronted Roman Reigns on SmackDown, leading to an attack by Reigns and Henry becoming a believer in Reigns, thus turning face.

January 24, 2016: Royal Rumble Pre-Show Victory

On January 24, 2016, at the Royal Rumble pre-show, Mark Henry teamed with Jack Swagger to win a Fatal 4-Way tag team match, earning them spots in the Royal Rumble match.

2016: WWE Draft and United States Championship Match

In 2016, Mark Henry was drafted to Raw on July 19. On August 1, he received a United States Championship match but lost to Rusev.

January 29, 2017: Royal Rumble Appearance and Elimination

On January 29, 2017, Mark Henry returned at the Royal Rumble as entrant number 6, only to be eliminated by Braun Strowman.

January 2018: Raw 25 Years Cameo

In January 2018, Mark Henry made a return in a backstage cameo at the Raw 25 Years event.

March 19, 2018: WWE Hall of Fame Induction Announcement

On March 19, 2018, it was announced that Mark Henry would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Big Show.

March 2019: Pledge to Donate Brain to CTE Research

In March 2019, Mark Henry pledged to donate his brain to CTE research after he dies.

2019: Backstage Mentoring Role

In early 2019, Mark Henry took on a backstage mentoring role, helping talent with their off-air attitude, cleanliness, and respect in the locker room.

January 4, 2021: Raw Legends Night Appearance

On January 4, 2021, Mark Henry appeared on Raw's Legends Night, riding on a scooter due to an injured leg and was verbally confronted by Randy Orton, marking his final appearance in WWE.

May 30, 2021: AEW Debut and Commentary Role

On May 30, 2021, Mark Henry debuted for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at Double or Nothing and it was announced that he would be part of the commentary team for AEW Rampage, as well as a coach.