The Debut
Shortly after competing in the 1996 Summer Olympics, Henry made his first appearnce in Monday Night Raw on March 11 and made his in-ring debut at In Your House: Mind Games, defeating fellow WWE Hall of Famer Jerry "The King" Lawler. While he continued his feud with Lawler, he was sidlined for a year with an injury.
He, however, returned in November 1997 and defeated the likes of the Brooklyn Brawler and the Sultan (Rikishi) in two separate matches.
Nation of Domination
Henry joined the faction with Farooq, The Rock, Kama Mustafa, and D'Lo Brown on January 12, 1998. He excelled inside the squared circle as a member of The Nation of Domination alongside Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. They were locked in rivalry with the Legion of Doom, DOA and most famously with the D-Genaration X.
Sexual Chocolate
After the Nation of Domination disbanded, Henry became the notorious ladies' man known as "Sexual Chocolate" during the Attitude Era. He was part of very infamous and emabrassing storylines during this face. Henry turned into a fan favorite after he was seen on television romancing WWF women from Chyna to Mae Young as part of his character.
While with WWE, Henry would foray into strongman competition and find great success, winning the 2002 Arnold Strongman Classic. Back in WWE, The World's Strongest Man would use the power that won him that contest, pulling off incredible feats of strength for his fellow Superstars and the WWE Universe.
ECW Champion and Hall of Pain
Henry carved a path of destruction through Superstars like The Undertaker, Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio before making his way to ECW and capturing the brand's top championship in his first match, defeating Kane and Big Show in the process.
After returning to SmackDown, Henry's penchant for punishment was given a name - his opponents weren't just being beaten down; they were being inducted into The Hall of Pain.
World Heavyweight Champion
Henry's appetite for destruction brought him one of sports-entertainment's top prizes - the World Heavyweight Championship, which he won by defeating Randy Orton at Night of Champions 2011. He coninued his title reign by successful defending it against Orton and the Big Show.
Henry lost the title to Big Show in TLC PPV but Show lost the belt the same night to Daniel Bryan, who cashed in on his Money in the Bank briefcase after Big Show was knocked out by the World's Strongest Man.
Retirement rumours
As The World's Strongest Man's career approached the two-decade mark, rumors of Henry's retirement began to travel through the WWE Universe to which he even played along, appearing on Monday Night Raw in June 2013 for what appeared to be a tearful retirement speech.
An emotional John Cena watched on as Henry delivered the speech, but to everyone's shock he nearly drove Cena through the mat with his World's Strongest Slam and boldly declared "I've got a lot left in the tank!"
The road to real retirement
Henry continued competing with WWE through WrestleMania 33, while also taking on a new role as a talent scout and mentor, helping to prepare competitors like Braun Strowman, Baron Corbin, Apollo Crews and Bianca Belair for the rigors of the squared circle.
For the devastation he caused inside the ring, as well as the work he does to help the next generation of Superstars, there is no bigger honor for Mark Henry than to become The World's Strongest Hall of Famer.