In the world of professional wrestling, stories of triumph and hardship often intertwine. Recently, WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry voiced his strong opinions about the way AEW has been handling one of his proteges, Powerhouse Hobbs, particularly after Hobbs faced off against Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship. Henry’s remarks have ignited a conversation about the impact of booking decisions on a wrestler’s career.

Mark Henry on Powerhouse Hobbs

During a recent episode of Busted Open Radio, Mark Henry didn’t hold back when discussing his feelings about AEW’s direction with Powerhouse Hobbs. After Hobbs suffered a disappointing loss to Jon Moxley, Henry expressed sadness, claiming that the company has not been making the right choices for Hobbs’ storyline. Henry likened his connection with Hobbs to that of a father and son, which adds an emotional layer to his critiques. He said, “I consider Hobbs like a son to me, and seeing him struggle makes me feel terrible.”

Concerns Over Booking Decisions

Henry raised important concerns regarding the choices AEW has made about Hobbs’ matches. Moxley may have won the title, but Henry believes that AEW’s decisions following this match have been particularly harmful to Hobbs’ future prospects. “You want to build stars. Losing to someone as formidable as Moxley is understandable, but it shouldn’t derail your plans to make Hobbs a future champion,” he explained. The timing of the events surrounding Hobbs has also left Henry puzzled.

Impact of Recent Matches

Although Hobbs recently claimed victory in a 12-man tag team match following his defeat by Moxley, Henry maintained that these moments should not overshadow the significant losses. His recent championship defeat, followed by a tumultuous storyline with various opponents including Konosuke Takeshita, has raised red flags for Henry about Hobbs’ trajectory in AEW.

Help from Allies

During the championship match on AEW Dynamite, Hobbs received crucial help from Adam Copeland and FTR when he was under attack. While Henry appreciated their involvement, he noted the unusual timing of their arrival as something that could confuse fans and take away from Hobbs’ story. “It raises questions; his friends helped him, but at what cost to Hobbs’ own toughness?” said Henry. He stressed that wrestling is about building characters that audiences can root for, and Hobbs needs that clarity and support from his storyline.

Mark Henry’s Vision for Hobbs

Looking back on his history with wrestling, Henry often describes the importance of having a strong narrative around a wrestler. He wants to see AEW invest more energy into making Hobbs a celebrated character rather than just an afterthought. During the interview, Henry expressed hope for the future, saying, “I just want Powerhouse Hobbs to reach his full potential. He’s got the skills, the looks, and the heart, but he needs the company to believe in him too.”

Table of Recent Matches

As the wrestling community gazes at these transitions in Powerhouse Hobbs’ career, it’s clear that Mark Henry is not just a mentor but a protector who wishes to see his young protege rise to the stardom he deserves. Whether AEW will heed his advice remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure: the heart that Henry puts into this blossoming talent will resonate with fans and followers alike.