John Cena's iconic rival has a message for WWE fans who slammed him for not turning heel
John Cena's final year in WWE as an in-ring performer will commence and culminate in 2025. He moved from Ohio Valley Wrestling to WWE's main roster in 2002 and eventually grew to be one of the biggest names in sports entertainment worldwide. In the last few years, though, Cena's appearances in WWE have become more and more sporadic.
During one of his 16 world title reigns, The Cenation Leader faced a huge challenge in the form of The World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry. What made their rivalry so iconic was Henry's fake retirement speech segment in 2013.
Speaking on TV Insider about John Cena's forthcoming retirement, Henry expressed joy at the former's decision to end his in-ring career on his own terms. He believes that people should ubiquitously praise Cena for his work over the years. As for those fans who slam the Hollywood actor, for never turning heel in WWE, Henry believes they deserve a "whooping."
"I think it’s awesome. I’m so happy for him. I think that now he’ll be able to be appreciated the way that he should be appreciated. People wanted John Cena to turn heel. John Cena and Ricky Steamboat, lifetime babyfaces. That’s who they are. That is what they were designed to be. They stuck to their guns. The New Day, too. Embrace it, love it, don’t call it goody two shoes. The people that boo John Cena and wished violence upon him back then, you all need a whooping. He should be revered," said Henry.
Although Henry stole the feud with his memorable performance, it was Cena who prevailed in their eventual showdown for the WWE Championship at the 2013 edition of Money in the Bank.
Mark Henry reveals former WWE Superstar cried watching his fake retirement speech
Mark Henry famously convinced those watching live or for the first time that his career was over. They all genuinely thought The World's Strongest Man had decided to call it a day.
Among the millions who were convinced by Mark Henry's performance was The Big Show, who now wrestles for All Elite Wrestling under his real name, Paul Wight. Henry revealed a few years ago that The World's Largest Athlete left him an emotional text message after the segment on RAW, also believing it to be true.
"I guess The Big Show's message was the best. He left me a message and said he was going to kill me, that he was sitting on the couch with his wife, crying, and said, that's how you do me? You used me. You used my feelings, and I said, oh my bad," he said.
Mark Henry would only retire four years later. He and The Big Show have wrestled each other countless times during their time in WWE, even feuding over the World Heavyweight Championship. He recently recounted a dangerous spot they did in one of their pay-per-view matches.