Mark Henry Reveals Only Himself And Vince McMahon Knew He Wasn’t Retiring From WWE In 2013

Mark Henry says Vince McMahon was the only other person who knew he wasn’t retiring in 2013.

On June 17, 2013, Mark Henry famously entered the ring in a salmon-coloured suit to deliver a tearful promo telling the crowd it was time for him to retire from the ring and spend time with his family. However, in a now iconic swerve, ‘The Worlds Strongest Man’ stunned viewers by slamming John Cena and coming after the WWE Championship. The segment had a genuine emotional impact on anyone who watched on, and it’s now been revealed that it wasn’t just fans that were kept in the dark about Henry’s status.

Appearing on Nailz Knows, Mark Henry revealed that even his wife believed he was legitimately retiring, with Vince McMahon the only other person who knew it was an angle.

“My wife thought I was really retired. I ain’t tell nobody. People were mad at me, Big Show wanted to fight me. Nobody knew but me and Vince. Cena didn’t know until he (handed him the WWE Championship). He tried to give it to me, then I said ‘No, you’ve got to earn that.’ When I handed it to him, he jumped down and somebody talked to him. I remember seeing him go from crying, to him over there smiling like ‘Son of a bitch, you got me.’ I got a voice message from Big Show on my phone, ‘I’m sitting on my couch crying, you son of a bitch. When I see you, Imma punch you in your teeth. My wife was sitting here watching me cry over your ass!’ It’s the best message I ever got.”

-Mark Henry

Henry went on to challenge Cena for the WWE Championship at Money in the Bank 2013. Unfortunately for the former World Heavyweight Champion, he wasn’t able to come away with the gold, but the feud with the now 17-time world champion has stuck in the minds’ of fans almost 13 years later.

The 54-year-old officially retired following WrestleMania 33, with his Hall of Fame induction taking place the following year (although he stepped out of retirement for the Greatest Royal Rumble). After that, Henry made sporadic on-screen appearances for WWE before joining AEW as an announcer between 2021 and 2024.

For more WWE news as we head towards WrestleMania 42, you can click here.

As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Mark Henry as soon as we hear more.

H/T to WrestleTalk for the transcription.