Steve Carrier on August 27, 2025
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry isn’t backing down after backlash over his recent comments about the violent real-life attack on wrestler Stuart “Syko Stu” Smith.
Appearing on Austin’s 1300 The Zone radio station, Henry read a statement where he doubled down on his original opinion — offering “zero apologies” and claiming critics were misrepresenting his words.
Henry sparked controversy after suggesting blame for the attack didn’t solely lie with Raja Jackson, but also with the show’s organizers and veterans who failed to guide him properly. Some online pushed back hard, accusing Henry of defending Jackson or minimizing the violence. He responded directly to those accusations.
“What I said has nothing to do with race. It has everything to do with ignorance about the wrestling business,” Henry said. “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.”
Henry blasted what he described as online harassment, saying that his critics were using the internet as a weapon.
“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 expressing sympathy for Syko Stu, who remains hospitalized with severe injuries, Henry made it clear he still believes there were failures 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 described the beer can spot that preceded the attack as a “horrible work,” and then shifted his focus to the veteran wrestlers present at the show, claiming they were partially responsible for not protecting the environment backstage.
“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. He’s supposed to understand and process all this information. No, it’s not going to happen.”
Henry then drew a parallel between Raja Jackson’s situation and his own early days in the industry — when he too was thrown into wrestling without proper training or knowledge.
“Mark Henry was once upon a time Raja Jackson. I got banished from wrestling and sent to Canada.”
He credited the Hart family for saving his career and teaching him the right way to approach the business.
“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.”
Closing out his statement, Henry made it clear he won’t be apologizing — now or ever.
“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.”
To those calling for his cancellation, Henry didn’t mince words.
“All of you fans out there that have these racist tendencies and all the vitriol for me, have at it. You can’t hurt me. I’m bulletproof.”
Henry’s message is loud and clear — he’s not changing his stance, no matter how intense the online backlash gets.
Do you think Mark Henry’s comments were fair or out of line? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
August 27, 2025 7:38 pm
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