Well, he's been gone for close to two years working at his trade, and well, he still sucks. The guy might be strong like bull, but how long can he last on that one trick? I guess you could make him a heel and have him pound the shit out of little guys, but the Big Show already has that gig on another *program*. So Vince McMahon should just swallow his pride on this one and cut the big lug, even though he still has around 6 years left on his contract. That or he could dress him head to toe in American flag gear, have him come down to the ring and sign autographs...oh yeah, been there tried that. Cut the big slow bastard and give the time they're blowing on him to someone like Lance Storm, YEAH!
I hate to say that, but Vince just couldn't cut the Henry. Most fans like the Henry, want to watch the big show. most fans do not want to watch Lance Storm. Our wishes are not the same as the average fan's wishes, and the average fan outnumbers us by a lot. As much as we would love a Storm push, almost every single average fan would prefer Henry to hold a title a lot more than Lance Storm. Vince can't, and shouldn't cater to us and our wishes. We are but a small segment of the viewing population, and what we want is a lot less profitable than what the masses want. And the masses don't want Lance Storm as a main eventer. The masses want Henry way more than Storm. The WWF is not about making every stinking fan happy. It is about selling PPV's selling tickets, making money. And Henry makes more money than Storm for the WWF.
(edited by Wild Pegasus on 27.4.02 0826)
Wild Pegasus
Henry makes no money for the WWF and never will. Any popularity he has now will quickly fade and it's doubtful he will even wrestle om a PPV yet alone headline it due his in ring limitations and lack of charisma.
On the other hand Storm actually drew the highest ratings in WCW for a while. He might be a draw in the future or at least can have good matches with those who are.
Furthermore not every fan who appreciates good wrestling is on the internet. we are more representative than you might think and certainly more in line with the tv audience than the live crowd are.
Even casual fans who don't know or care what workrate is are not so braindead that they they don't care whether the show is good or bad.
Pegasus, while your hypothesis often has merit (though I do want to know when the idea that Lance Storm will never make money for anyone became gospel) I really think this is a poor choice of people to use for the comparison. Mark Henry is an uncharismatic guy. The fact that he can't wrestle is not nearly as important as the fact that no one really much ever wants to see him on their screen. Mark Henry will only make money is they start somehow selling off by the pound at the concession stands. Not because he doesn't throw a nice wristclutch exploider, but because he's boring. He's a big giant ball of boredom wrapped in apathy and dipped in suck.
"You used it to shove your miserable daughter down our throats week in and week out...not anymore!" - Ric Flair gives me hope, Raw 3/18/02
"I thought it was cool how HHH just tossed Jericho out of the ring and made him vanish, possibly into another dimension, at the end of the match." - Dr. Unlikely says the funniest thing I've ever read on Wienerville
Originally posted by WeevilHenry makes no money for the WWF and never will. Any popularity he has now will quickly fade and it's doubtful he will even wrestle on a PPV let alone headline it due to his in ring limitations and lack of charisma.
On the other hand Storm actually drew the highest ratings in WCW for a while. He might be a draw in the future or at least can have good matches with those who are.
************* I agree with you Weevil that giving more ring time to Lance Storm would be a positive step for the WWF. Having seen several of his matches in the old ECW I am aware of his ability to put on a good show. However, I disagree with your comments regarding Mark Henry. I think the WWF can get quite a good run out of the "World's Strongest Man" gimmick. Watching from my TV set the crowd reactions seem positive, I find the sketches involving groups of wrestlers interacting while Henry does his strong man thing to be quite entertaining (while giving face time to many who otherwise wouldn't be seen in prime time), Farooq fits in well as his friend/tag-team partner, and the brewing fueds with Test and Christian could produce some quality matches (both single and tag-team). I agree that these aren't main events or headline matches we're discussing, and I also see the possibility of this gimmick falling flat on its face; but, on the other hand, this thing could have legs, and if the fans get behind it, could provide some entertaining moments over the next six-to-nine months, with a possible heel turn giving it another three months of life.
Ultimately, time will tell if the fans want more or less of Mark Henry. I personally have enjoyed the segments so far, and I hope the WWF gives this flower a chance to blossom. ***************
TOMMY: What just happened here? DAVEY: We got hosed, Tommy. We got hosed.
Well this angle is pretty bad, but nothing beats Planet Stasiak. I mean really it is crap(sorry). And I'm not saying that Smackdown has worse angles just because Vince is on it or anything, but could you imagine what it'd be like if they had Flair instead.
And that's when you know what the answer to that question is.
Henry is just the latest in a string of musclebound slugs that will always get second, third or fourth chances at getting pushed because they've got the "look." Henry, Billy Gunn, Albert, Test, etc.
I was born in a manger, like that other guy. You know, he wore a hat?
Mark Henry "muscle-bound"? I think there is a difference between a strong man and a bodybuilder as far as physique goes. He's *big*, like Albert or Big Show. Anyway, he is boring as hell, I agree. This gimmick they are doing with him reminds me alot of what the WWF did with a guy in the 80s who did huge bench presses and they sold him as this major strong man who no one could beat at the bench press. Who was that anyway, it's on the tip on my tongue. It wasnt Putski or Muraco, I don't think.
Originally posted by DMCMark Henry "muscle-bound"? I think there is a difference between a strong man and a bodybuilder as far as physique goes. He's *big*, like Albert or Big Show. Anyway, he is boring as hell, I agree. This gimmick they are doing with him reminds me alot of what the WWF did with a guy in the 80s who did huge bench presses and they sold him as this major strong man who no one could beat at the bench press. Who was that anyway, it's on the tip on my tongue. It wasnt Putski or Muraco, I don't think.
DMC
I believe you're thinking of Dino Bravo and/or Ken Patera.
If it was Patera it would be interesting, as he used to compete in the "World's Strongest Man" competition as well.
Hey, I watch that show every time it's on ESPN late at night. I also like Mark Henry.
As small as it is, that's a group of crossover fans. Any inroad for the masses into the WWF is a good business decision.
You may not be able to get Joe Beer who is biased against wrestling to watch just by putting Super Astros on Sunday, but maybe if he sees Mark Henry lift a damn car he will be interested to tune into SD! to see what this wrestling thing is all about.
I think sometimes the people on this board forget what it was like before Vince owned your Mondays and Thursdays... We are definitely not the indecisive masses surfing through the airwaves. He has to reach them as well.
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoWell, he's been gone for close to two years working at his trade, and well, he still sucks.
He has only been in one damn match since he has been back and that was a squash! I don't think he has become Benoit while he was gone but give him a chance. Besides, he broke out THE CLAW! That gets you bonus points in my book.
I think it's obvious that the guy is dedicated. Anyone that was willing to do the stupid shit Russo made him do has payed some serious dues.
Bubbles? Oh come on Sharon! I’m Ozzy Osbourne the Prince of Fucking Darkness. Evil, evil, more fucking evil not a boatload of fucking bubbles man.
Originally posted by WeevilOn the other hand Storm actually drew the highest ratings in WCW for a while.
THAT'S an accompishment!
Seriously though, is Henry a terrible wrestler? Yes (though like Jackson said, we are too quick to judge his current run), but will there always be a place for a few big untalented slugs in wrestling? Yes, of course there will. Face it, there are some people who like to watch big guys power wrestle, there always have been and there always will be.
Hey, I watch that show every time it's on ESPN late at night. I also like Mark Henry.
As small as it is, that's a group of crossover fans. Any inroad for the masses into the WWF is a good business decision.
You may not be able to get Joe Beer who is biased against wrestling to watch just by putting Super Astros on Sunday, but maybe if he sees Mark Henry lift a damn car he will be interested to tune into SD! to see what this wrestling thing is all about.
I think sometimes the people on this board forget what it was like before Vince owned your Mondays and Thursdays... We are definitely not the indecisive masses surfing through the airwaves. He has to reach them as well.
Give Mark Henry his 10 minutes
I can kinda agree with what you're saying. I do kinda like watching Mark Henry break things and I would like to see him compete in a strong man show. I just don't like the fact that they waste so much time on a *major* show like this. Save it for Heat or Jakked, the guy just isn't a 'wrestler' or a 'sports entertainer'...he's just a strong man.
They need to either give Mark Henry the Brock Lesnar/Goldberg Push (where he destroys cruiserweights who can really sell his power and size), give Mark Henry the Big Show Kinda-Push (see Lesnar/Goldberg, but substitute "old guys" for "cruiserweights"), or get rid of Mark Henry.
"From this point on, I will prove that I am the best this bitchness has to offer, and if anybody wanna tempt ... test me, step to me like a man." -- Booker T
"Booker T, I know you don't want me; because it's obvious I beat your ass so bad you forgot where the barbershop was!" -- Scott Steiner
Well the WWF seems to be going full on 80s so I say we push him to the moon and make the Claw his finisher. J/K. Give him some time to develop his character. Zim is right, maybe this will get some new fans in. And lord knows if Nostalgia is an excuse for everything Vince does we need new fans who can't be nostalgic about Jack. And if he fails as a singles wrestler you could always bring Mabel back and make them the NEW Men On A Mission.
Well said, Guru. The WWF clearly caters to the sheep and any other newbies that may come along. Hell, they put their World Heavyweight Title back on Hulk freakin' Hogan again. That's the ultimate, right there.
Yeah, may as well juice Mark Henry for what he's worth at the moment and toss him aside when the novelty wears off.
1. I have no problem with Henry getting his shot but he is highly unlikely to make money for them. Storm has a lot more potential.
2. A good show is more likely to be watched than a bad show, so as long they have matches, the ability to have good matches is an important factor.
3. Not every wrestling fan is watching every episode of Smackdown so there are plenty of ratings to be gained by appealing to that demographic, probably more than they would get from a strongman crossover.
4. A Goldberg/Lesnar push would be wasted on Henry and sacrificing the potentially quite profitable cruiser division to him would be idiotic.
Originally posted by WeevilOK a couple of points here.
1. I have no problem with Henry getting his shot but he is highly unlikely to make money for them. Storm has a lot more potential.
2. A good show is more likely to be watched than a bad show, so as long they have matches, the ability to have good matches is an important factor.
3. Not every wrestling fan is watching every episode of Smackdown so there are plenty of ratings to be gained by appealing to that demographic, probably more than they would get from a strongman crossover.
4. A Goldberg/Lesnar push would be wasted on Henry and sacrificing the potentially quite profitable cruiser division to him would be idiotic.
Lance Storm works looser than the fat chick hanging around outside your local bus depot. He and RVD should form a tag team (I know they're on different shows, shut up) called the Minimal Impact Players. Where's JUSTIN CREDIBLE, while we're at it? Mark Henry has undeniable charisma. The fans (myself included) dig the guy. He carried Chyna's manly ass through numerous skits, and I'm happy to see him back on TV. Judging Mizzark (!) as not over based on one appearance is like judging a certain other guy as being over based on the fact that he held the world title for an extended period of time. And that would be downright silly.
(Phil Schneider reviews the NWA VA webcast every week. Downloadable at http://wrestlingnetwork.net/NWA_VA.html. Enjoy Mr Schneider, won't you?) What Worked Mike Vaughn v. Chris Escobar was a fine indy juniors match.