Mark Henry Opens Up About His Relationship With Vince McMahon, Vince Getting Emotional, What Vince Hates

WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry was a recent guest on the Notsam Wrestling podcast and shared some insight about his relationship with WWE CEO Vince McMahon.

Henry opened up about a time he invited Vince McMahon to see The Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports in Austin, Texas. The 20,000 square foot center has a wide array of sports memorabilia from Tom Landry’s original playbook to the first stationary bike ever made. The museum also features a section dedicated to professional wrestling, which includes a picture of Andre the Giant, Vince McMahon, Sr., and a young Vince McMahon seated together around a table. Henry did not tell McMahon about the picture, but offered to bring him to the Center, to which McMahon obliged.

Henry explained, “I was so excited and we got in there and we started walking around.” The two wrestling legends proceeded toward the area dedicated to professional wrestling, “I just elbowed him and I pointed [at the Andre picture] and he just looked over there and he started crying. It just broke him down. He was like, ‘Man, thank you.’ That’s the relationship I have with Vince. It’s more than just boss/employee.”

Mark Henry continued, “He is [a paternal figure]. We have love for each other and we’ve expressed we have love for each other. There was a lot of immaturity in me that he kind of chiseled the rough pieces back and make smooth.” The WWE Hall of Famer adds, “Guys go to college for 8 years to learn half the stuff that I’ve learned and I don’t take it for granted. I told him I appreciate the stuff I know.”

The two men share a close bond and Mark Henry has also picked up on one of McMahon’s pet peeves, “Vince hated when people come up to him, ‘Hey boss. Good to see you. Thank you so much for having me on the card.’ He hates them dudes. It’s a hate. It’s a loathing. Like, ‘Be a man. Sh*t. Step up. I respect your work and I pay you for your work.’”

Henry also opened up about Vince McMahon’s role in offering him assurance after breaking his ankle his first week wrestling, “Vince said, ‘Listen, it happens. Heal up and get your butt back to work.’ I was like, ‘Ok, alright.’” Henry returned to the ring and went on to have a Hall of Fame career in the WWE. 

(Transcription Credit: Michael McClead, WrestleZone) 

Readers may listen to Sam Roberts’ interview with Mark Henry in its entirety below:

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