WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry appeared on Austin’s 1300 The Zone sports radio station today to address the public backlash he received for his recent comments regarding the in-ring attack by Raja Jackson on wrestler Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith. Reading from a prepared statement, Henry stated that he stands by his original take and offered “zero apologies” for his words, which he said were being misconstrued by online critics.
Henry began by directly confronting the accusations of racism leveled against him on social media after he suggested some blame for the incident lay with the show’s organizers. “What I said has nothing to do with race. It has everything to do with ignorance about the wrestling business,” Henry stated. “First off, it’s impossible for me to be a racist, because I would have to have power over someone, and in a bigoted way, I’m not a bigot, and I don’t have power over people… The people that know me know who I am as a man and as a person.”
He then characterized the online attacks against him as a form of harassment. He referred to “ignorant people that sit back behind their computers and they feel like it’s okay to verbally bash people.” Henry added, “What it is is bullying. It’s just like the situation of Raja going to wrestling to try to be a wrestler, and not being completely informed on what wrestling is.”
While reiterating that he felt sorry for Smith for the severity of the attack, Henry maintained his original point that there was responsibility on both sides. “Syko Stu didn’t deserve what he got, but every action has a reaction, and there’s consequences for everything that you put out in this universe,” he said. He described the initial beer can spot that preceded the attack as a “horrible work.”
Henry placed specific blame on the veteran wrestlers involved in the show for creating a volatile situation. He stated that they failed to properly inform Jackson, who was not a part of the show, about the planned spot. “You got these veteran guys drinking alcohol before the show, and then they come out there, and you hit one of the kids… upside the head with a beer can,” Henry said. “He’s supposed to understand and process all this information. No, it’s not going to happen.”
He then compared Jackson’s situation to his own struggles early in his career, before he was properly trained in the traditions and etiquette of the wrestling business. “Mark Henry was once upon a time Raja Jackson. I got banished from wrestling and sent to Canada,” he revealed. This personal anecdote was used to frame his perspective on the importance of respecting the industry.
Henry credited the legendary Hart family with his own education, explaining how they turned his career around after his early missteps. “And if it wasn’t for the Hart family who took my ass in and said, ‘Mark… You don’t know wrestling. You’re a fan, let us help you.’ And they helped me. They educated me. They taught me how to be who I became, which is a Hall of Fame wrestler,” he said.
Henry concluded his statement defiantly, making it clear he would not retract his comments. “I just want to go on record as saying I’m making zero apologies for what I said. I meant every word, every single word I meant,” he declared. “You have to be responsible on both sides.” Addressing his critics directly, he said, “All of you fans out there that have these racist tendencies and and all the vitriol for me, have at it. You can’t hurt me. I’m bulletproof.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit 1300 The Zone with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
