Mark Henry's late 2011 resurgence and World Title Reign

[The Rick Jericho]

What is the consensus around here on this Hall of Pain era of the one and only Mark Henry?

He caught fire late in the year and him and Orton had a quite good feud for the World Title. It's shame it all ended so soon.

Could he have sustained more or was this simply a small title reign at the right time and they moved on also at the right time?

The Smackdown World Title scene was definitely a lot more fun at this time then the whole Raw World Title fiasco.

[Mozenrath]

It was probably his peak, either that or his ECW run, and I kind of feel like it couldn't have happened any other time quite like that. He was already showing wear and tear, and I sort of wonder if he'd have broke down sooner if they had gotten behind him even more and put him under that level of sustained push.

[BorneAgain]

The thing about Henry in that period was the it was the first time he came off as legitimately scary. He had been a heel before, and even presented as a monster before, but something about that 2011 period allowed him to tap into a genuinely intimidating aura that just worked.

[Timeless Hayterade]

I think it was his best run by far.

[A Little Doo Doo]

Cole's call when Henry won the title from Orton is one of his best IMO.

[Instant Classic]

He had a lot left in the tank.

[The Rick Jericho]

Him punking Bret Hart really got him into a groove that year. That was a great promo on Bret.

[Nosnorb]

His match at Summerslam against Sheamus was an absolute banger, both guys looked great in it.

[JasonVoorhees1988]

Dude tapped into an almost WCW Vader aura. It was amazing.

[S-Chrome]

It was his best run, but they could've easily pulled the trigger with him as a dominating monster heel champion in both 2006 (The self-proclaimed Silverback run) and the World's Strongest Champion ECW Champ run of 2009, but I suppose it's better late than never.

[Mozenrath]

Jul 6, 2023 20:09:21 GMT -5 BorneAgain said:

The thing about Henry in that period was the it was the first time he came off as legitimately scary. He had been a heel before, and even presented as a monster before, but something about that 2011 period allowed him to tap into a genuinely intimidating aura that just worked.

He did have his moments prior, honestly, WWE just didn't properly capitalize on them.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HixtgqSUsg

[firsttimelongtime]

I was in high school at the time, friends of mine absolutely loved him. They aren’t really fans anymore but boy did they love Mark Henry.

[UN PLOMBIER NIGHTMARE #blm]

I thought it was amazing, especially when he won the title off Orton. Walking into that match it truly felt like Orton was in danger and nobody on earth was gonna stop Henry.

[Mid-Carder]

I'm in the minority but I thought he still sucked, just 10% less than before

[Renslayer]

SOMEBODY GON GET THEY ASS KICKED

[bluebeach25]

His best Run i would say.

Smackdown is pretty strong in 2011 yet it was clearly overshadowed by Raw after the Pipebomb happened. Christian's Heel Run was also very entertaining and he had like 4 back to back banger Matches on PPV with Orton! I think Henry's Run started after the Summer of Punk was kinda squashed anyway since Nash and HHH got involved..

I don't remember how the Henry Run ended i think Big Show vs Henry were the Ring exploded was like the End of the Hall of Pain Run wasn't it. Henry didn't even have a noticeable spot at WM 28! I think they put him in that Team Teddy/Team Johnny Match.

[David-Arquette was in WCW 2000]

It was the first time I really enjoyed any of Henry's work. Something just clicked, and it all felt legit. Some of my favourite matches from that time period is his series of bouts with Punk after Wrestlemania 28. Technically after the Hall of Pain run had finished, however.

I wish that run lasted longer, but it's not hard to see why Henry would slip back down the card again, looking at the direction the fed was going in 2012. I feel 2011 was very much a transitional - almost state of limbo - year for the company, but Mark Henry really gave it his all, and that run was a definite highlight.

[lucas_lee]

Jul 7, 2023 1:34:48 GMT -5 David-Arquette was in WCW 2000 said:

It was the first time I really enjoyed any of Henry's work. Something just clicked, and it all felt legit. Some of my favourite matches from that time period is his series of bouts with Punk after Wrestlemania 28. Technically after the Hall of Pain run had finished, however.

I wish that run lasted longer, but it's not hard to see why Henry would slip back down the card again, looking at the direction the fed was going in 2012. I feel 2011 was very much a transitional - almost state of limbo - year for the company, but Mark Henry really gave it his all, and that run was a definite highlight.

Mark also got hurt a lot thats probably why they were hesitant

[Ben Wyatt]

Jul 6, 2023 20:25:30 GMT -5 A Little Doo Doo said:

Cole's call when Henry won the title from Orton is one of his best IMO.

That match, especially the ending was just plain perfect.  Orton made Henry look like an absolute killer

[Andew9001]

Jul 6, 2023 20:25:30 GMT -5 A Little Doo Doo said:

Cole's call when Henry won the title from Orton is one of his best IMO.

And him punking Cole out when he started making jokes at him about Daniel Bryan was awesome too.