10 Awesome Wrestlers WWE Sacrificed For The Greater Good

9. Mark Henry (Money In The Bank 2013)

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WWE

Mark Henry's fake retirement speech on the 17 June 2013 episode of Raw was one of the most memorable promos in the show's history.

It hit like a bomb. Sidelined through injury for several weeks, Henry had used social media to tease that he was planning on stepping away from the squared circle. This led to him interrupting WWE Champion John Cena on Raw. Decked out in the now-famous salmon jacket, he spun a raw, emotional, and uplifting spiel on his career to date, then promised his wife and children that he was finally coming home. A beautiful moment, and one that reduced some to tears.

The swerve was right around the corner, as Henry revealed the whole thing was a trick, dropping Cena with a World's Strongest Slam. He then promised to go after Cena's belt ("the only one I've never held"), mounting his challenge at Money In The Bank with all the momentum in the world behind him.

He lost.

The Greater Good:

LOLCENAWINS. A MITB win would've elevated Henry beyond even his Hall Of Pain days, but WWE decided to keep 'Big Match John' strong instead. Henry would never truly return to this level.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.