Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
The following was sent to PWInsider.com:
After the recent controversy around WWE’s decision to end Sami Zayn’s title reign after only 9 days, I wanted to share some comments from my recent interview with WWE Hall of Famer and former World Heavyweight Champion, Mark Henry.
During our time, Mark discussed this topic in detail. I've highlighted some of the key talking points below, with Mark’s full comments available further down.
His thoughts on WWE’s decision to cut Sami Zayn’s title reign short: “I thought that it was the wrong decision. The trigger was pulled too soon.”
His views on their motives behind making CM Punk champion: “I think they maybe sacrificed Zayn to get Punk at SummerSlam.”
His thoughts on CM Punk and what he wants to see from the star going forward: “I think they (WWE) see Punk as a star. The man has no weakness. We always need to see that version of CM Punk. I want to see him more in WWE, not less.”
Sami Zayn's reign lasted just 9 days before CM Punk took the title. Do you think that was the right call to take it from him?
“I thought that it was the wrong decision. The trigger was pulled too soon. I would have liked for him to call for his rematch clause and dress up like Santa Claus and just go to the ring and be a character. Be a little different the way that he has been over the last year or so. But yeah, I think they took it from him too soon, and I wish that they could go backwards and get him back as champion.”
“To see both of those guys go to war and it end the way that it did didn't disappoint me, but I just wondered why so soon? I don't want to feel that way with Roman and Seth, and that worries me. I want it to be longer. I want them to stretch it out and have good stories told before you get to WrestleMania. But they’re story needs at least one more PLE.”
“I think they maybe sacrificed Zayn to get Punk at SummerSlam but everything is a sacrifice in wrestling. It's not uncommon for two wrestlers not to get along. They're always arguing about others getting more opportunities than them, and I think more of that is gonna come straight after SummerSlam.”
“I think they see Punk as a star. He’s an unbelievable talent with a lot of upsides still. You look at the match that he had with Sami Zayn, you look at the match he had with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, the man has no weakness. We always need to see that version of CM Punk. I want to see him more in WWE, not less.”
Do you think Punk really deserved to go straight back to the top like he has done, or do you think they should have brought him back and built him up a little bit before giving him the title?
“I don't know if you have to bring somebody back that's already established, but they’ve still got to show up and produce. The pressure is always on, and I think that's what has happened. The cream just rose to the top.”
“But that doesn't mean Sami is any less valuable. It's just a matter of timing. He's now established himself. He’s had his breakout moment, and now it's someone else's turn to step up and make that leap. That's just how wrestling works.”
For more, visit www.casino.org/us.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
