101 Shocking Wrestling Plans You Won't Believe Almost Happened
58. A Regrettably Racist Mark Henry Pitch
This is something Mark Henry has broached in countless interviews since 2007. Back then, during a year in which everything changed due to the Chris Benoit situation, WWE boss Vince McMahon was looking for ways to keep Henry relevant. Someone behind the scenes pitched calling Mark 'The Silverback'.
Yes, as in silverback gorillas. Wow.
Understandably, Henry shut this down in a hurry and said he absolutely wouldn't indulge in racial stereotypes. Sometimes, it's like people in pro wrestling don't even hear themselves. They just spew ideas out onto the page or in meetings and rarely stop to think things through. This was almost certainly an example of that clumsiness.
Or, at least, that's the kind way of looking at it. There is a chance folks were just being outright racist, but Mark has chosen to look on the softer side when reminiscing. He was never going to say yes to 'Silverback' as a nickname though. It just wasn't going to happen, and it's hardly like anybody could force Mark freakin' Henry to do anything he didn't fancy doing.
Later, WWE gave Henry the 'Hall Of Pain' gimmick. The presentation was similar to what they had in mind for him with 'Silverback' overall, but it wasn't as offensive and had nothing to do with his skin colour. Mark could stomach that, and he made it work well enough to earn World Heavyweight Title glory.
2007's plan to effectively present Henry as a gorilla though? Nah, that was never going to make air. What were they thinking?!