WWE.com has posted an interview with WWE Superstar Mark Henry to commemorate his 20 year anniversary with the company. You can read the full interview HERE and find some excerpts from it below.
Related: Mark Henry – WWE Anniversary
WWE.COM: How does it feel to officially call yourself a 20-year veteran?
MARK HENRY: You know what, man? It’s really cool. At one point in my life, I thought getting old was a bad thing. Then I realized that the prestige, the respect and the honor that people hold you at for being able to do anything for 20 years is well worth it.
WWE.COM: Given that you were brought up in this very tough developmental system, how do you take it upon yourself to mentor some of the younger talent who came up a different way than you did?
HENRY: Well, one, I explain to them the culture of the locker room. That’s the foremost thing you have to learn. To respect, to honor the people that came before you, and don’t talk so much. [And] listen. Learn how to humble yourself, and be able to take advice and not feel like you know everything. Once you can do those two things, you open yourself up for the psychology lessons, because people think that our business is being able to flip, jump, catch and all that. It’s really psychology-driven. Sometimes [it’s] simple psychology — big vs. small, fast vs. slow, good vs. evil. But then, it takes an unbelievable turn where – with your movements and your looks and your eyes and actions – you have to be able to tell people what they usually use words for.
WWE.COM: You have also become an ambassador for the company, and do a lot of charity work on top of what you do in the ring. Can you talk a little about that aspect of your career?
HENRY: Vince takes a lot of pride in giving back. From the Wounded Warriors to working with all the Armed Forces with Tribute to the Troops, the list goes on, and I think that’s his pride and joy. There are a lot of people that love what we do and we would be selfish to not give back. I’ve always enjoyed doing anything with the kids. I’ve always said that kids don’t ask to be here. So, you try to teach them and have fun with them as much as you can. Going to St. Jude’s and the children’s hospitals … that stuff is hard. But imagine the parents having to endure having a terminally ill kid and not know if they’re coming home. If we can give them any joy, it’s a blessing. I’ll continue to do that for as long as I’m involved, even after I’m done [in the ring].
