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PWTorch.com writer Chris F. Writes: I'm so tired of people always complaining about Mark Henry. What has he ever done? The answer is simple. He's been loyal for over ten years. Has moved up and down with his position. He's never been arrested or failed a drug test. You don't really hear anything bad about him. That wasn't the case when he was a rookie, but he is a veteran and does a fine job at performing as a big man. I'm sorry that he didn't study Masa Chono tapes from Japan. You're also crazy to think he's not popular. Just watch the African American fan reactions when he was a heel. They weren't booing him when he destroyed every ECW babyface. They were cheering for him. Everyone believes that he is badass when his song hits. So, lets stop pretending this is the same Mark Henry from 1997, because its not. He's not the best wrestler, but he is great at what he does. I'm sure you were complaining when the WWE decided to give Bradshaw his singles push as well. After all he was giving many opportunities and other "young wrestlers" deserved the chance more. Maybe we can turn back time and give Paul London, Brian Kendrick, or Billy Kidman that push, since they proved they could get over much better than him. If you want to complain about young guys not getting a chance, then look at TNA. Did you know A.J. Styles and Abyss started at around the same time John Cena and Randy Orton debuted? Which two are over and which two are still in the same spot with a 40 year old as the champ?
RADICAN RESPONDS: You raise some valid points, but none of them mean that Henry moves ratings and PPV buyrates. You are right about the African American fanbase not booing Henry as a heel, because they were indifferent to his presence on the show for the most part.
I'm not quite sure about the second half of your response, as you invent points that I didn't address in my take. I never said anything about guys for Japan or jobbers getting pushed. I'm talking about guys with legit potential star power getting a nudge up that card that hasn't come for years. I think guys like M.V.P., The Miz, Evan Bourne, and even Matt Hardy would get over better than Henry if positioned in that spot.
As for TNA, let's not forget that Kurt Angle's greatest achievement in life is pinning Jarrett according to one of his interviews. Heck, even winning a gold medal didn't top that feat for Angle. I think that gives you all the information you need to know about why NOBODY gets over in TNA.
Heck, I hope Henry catches fire and becomes that missing star the Raw has been searching for since the draft took place months ago. History isn't on Henry's side and really, how many people get ten years of chances to prove themselves?
PWTorch.com reader Nick writes: I actually liked the Mark Henry and Jack Swagger appearances. Let's hope that they help break the monotony of the soul-crushing boredom that comes from this endless Orton/Triple H/Cena rotation with the title.
I always thought it was more fun when there were multiple guys who could make a run for the belt. I say throw Henry and Swagger and Bourne in the mix and let everyone gun for Orton. Kind of reminds me of the early 90s, when suddenly there were lots of possible contenders for the WWF belt: Hogan, Flair, Undertaker, Savage, Sid, etc.
If WWE wants to freshen things up, surprise us. Put the belt on Sexual Chocolate.
PWTorch.com reader Saba Simba writes: Glad to see I am not the only one who disagrees with all the Henry hating. He's never been my favorite wrestler but i marked out a little bit for him on Raw. He really stepped up his game on ECW in the past year and deserves a push on Raw. I was genuinely happy for him getting the great crowd response he got. It was a feel-good end to Raw that was anything but stale
PWTorch.com reader Suzanne writes: I think you have it twisted the only former ECW wrestler that looked bad on RAW tonight was Evan Bourne who got buried by Orton much like his mentor buried MVP earlier in the show. Jack Swagger and Mark Henry looked great tonight.
You should watch ECW once and awhile because the Mark Henry you are describing is the pre-ECW Mark Henry not the guy that beat Randy Orton. WWE should have booked both MVP and The Miz to go over tonight. Especially MVP since he didn't wrestle last night and HHH, Cena, and The Miz did.
PWTorch.com reader Quit Hatin' writes: Hey guys, I'm glad to see some positives comments here for a change. I'm so sick of the blind hating. Geez Sean, give the guy a chance! I'm so glad that many of us disagree with you! Try to sound positive about the product from time to time!
RADICAN RESPONDS: I've been very positive about Raw for most of the year and up until recently when it's become clear the show is beyond stale and needed a shakeup. Being a cheerleader when I see things going on that I feel in the long run are counter productive isn't what I'm here to do. Smackdown has been awesome this year, but Raw has been very stale. History tells us that Mark Henry shouldn't have gotten that shinning moment at the end of Raw.
Other thoughts: I think it's clear there are some Henry fans among Torch readers. I hope it works out for Henry, but history tells us it will not. Henry has never been a draw and his in-ring work isn't good enough to make people pay to watch him wrestle or drive fans to their TV's when his segments are on during Raw. Henry certainly is certainly a better choice at this point than perhaps Kane or Khali to get that spot, but he's very limited in what he can do.
Remember when Brock Lesnar debuted in the WWE? I don't ever recall him backing down to anyone and I think that's the way Swagger should be booked. His promos leave a lot to be desired, but he's a physical freak and if WWE paired him with a good manager, they'd have a huge money-making act on their hands. WWE needs new talent on the Raw brand to make an impact during the show. I don't feel Henry, Bourne, or Swagger provided the boost the brand last night.
Listen to the Radican Audio Showcase each and every weekend with co-host Derek Burgan at PWTorch.com/members discussing wrestling news, DVDs, and special in-depth ROH and DGUSA themed audio. Email Sean at PWTorchSean@gmail.com. Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.
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