Mark Henry has brought some rumors to light about his time in AEW.
During a recent appearance on HUGE POP!, Mark Henry discussed his time in AEW. After detailing some creative frustrations and drawing a comparison between Tony Khan and Triple H, Henry turned his attention to his relationship with All Elite Wrestling’s match producers. He addressed rumors that QT Marshall once called the WWE Hall of Famer “dumb,” and made it clear that the comment, if made, was likely meant in jest.
I love Sonjay (Dutt), Pat Buck, QT (Marshall) — I heard on good authority that QT called me stupid, and you know what? I looked him in the face every day, smiled, and said, ‘What’s up, man? How are you?’ You know how I can do that? Because first of all, I know it’s not true, and second of all, if he said it, he probably said it in jest. Mark Henry is probably stupid for coming here and taking a toned-down role. I’m sure there was a little more before or after.
I don’t murder anyone, and when I say reliable source, I mean I know that person would take a bullet for me…These people have worked their butts off to get into these positions, and they’re very good at what they do, and they work for the best production company in the world. They know what they’re doing, what their role is.
Mark Henry took a pay cut to join AEW
Mark Henry further pointed out that while AEW producers wouldn’t admit it, they were being oppressed. However, Henry says the pay cut he took to join the company was worth it, as he didn’t have to pay nearly as much in monthly insurance bills.
But they are tied down by doing what they are told and they won’t admit it because they have a good job, a good job. But one day the story will be told and I won’t look so “angry” because I’m not.
When I said I took a pay cut to go to AEW, the best part was the insurance. I had company insurance and I didn’t have to pay the maximum anymore. Because with my weight and the size of my family, I was paying over $4,000 a month just for the insurance. When I say I took a pay cut, I mean I could have easily made $40,000 a month. God has really blessed me and I have irons in the fire that go way beyond what I made there. So I’m not bitter at all.
Mark Henry wants AEW to be successful
Mark Henry also offered constructive criticism of AEW’s marketing strategy and made it clear that he wishes the company success.
But the people who are in charge have to have power, and I wish they did, but they don’t, and there are people in the office who shouldn’t be in the office. Because they’ve never been there before. They don’t understand the nuances of how to get across there. Sometimes grassroots marketing. Can we do grassroots marketing? Can we go to the barbershops and hair salons like we used to?
Social media is not the only means of advertising and letting people know you’re coming to town. How can I go to a market and go to a gym, a popular gym in a city, and they say, “There’s wrestling here?” Wait, what? Tonight?
So, the marketing… there’s a gap in the marketing, and then why would you book a show in a city – the same city as the biggest music festival in the world? I challenge you to look at the calendar. Hotel rooms are $400 to $700 a night and now people have to drive 40 miles out of town to find a hotel.
Oh, I’ve experienced that. So don’t make me write a book about it because then everyone will say, “Oh God. That happened?” I don’t want to make a disclosure. I try to keep my mouth shut. As long as nothing negative is said about me, I keep my mouth shut. You’re all probably thinking, “Oh my God. I wish they would say something bad about Mark Henry so he can just spill the beans.”
I want them to succeed because it gives the wrestler an advantage, the referees, the lighting people, the sound people, the producers, the lighting guys, the truck drivers. All of those people have a job because of AEW and I want them to have it. I want them to succeed.
Following reports that his contract was expiring, Mark Henry confirmed on May 27 that his AEW contract will expire on May 28 and he will not be seeking a renewal. Henry now works as a booker for All Caribbean Wrestling.
h/t POST Wrestling
