10 Things You Learn As A WWE Creative Writer
8. Mark Henry Has A Great Sense Of Humor.
Once, before a TV taping, I was ringside watching match rehearsals. I was reviewing the script and observing how the guys in the ring were executing the plan for TV that night. My focus was snapped as I felt a giant man-paw clap onto my shoulder. When I turned my head, I was staring into the very intense face of “The World’s Strongest Man”, Mark Henry.
Mark gripped my shoulder and leaned in closer. Still not breaking eye contact, he growled:
“Who are you?”
“Um, hi Mark. I’m George. I’m the new writer for SmackDown”.
Leaning in even closer, he whispered:
“Do you like men, George?”
At this point, my brain flipped through every possible response to this question. For some inexplicable reason, my better sense settled on:
“Um, not in the romantic sense Mark”.
Letting out a long exhale, he replied:
“Oh, you will…”
Allowing a terribly awkward beat, he stood up, his face then pulling back into a perfectly pleasant smile as he said:
“Aw man, I’m just f*ck*in’ with you. Welcome to the show!”
In every encounter after that, Mark was awesome to talk with and had a great sense of humor. What else do you expect from the guy who convincingly pulled off the “Sexual Chocolate” persona?