Mark Henry reacts to AJ Styles’ phony retirement on SmackDown

As AJ Styles feigned retirement before lowering the boom on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, a voice from the crowd spoke up and said what many fans were thinking.

“Mark Henry!”

The recent angle on SmackDown between Styles and Rhodes, which sets the stage for the second act of their saga, bore a striking resemblance to a 2013 plot on Raw. Back then, an impeccably dressed Mark Henry lured John Cena in with a heartfelt farewell speech, only to induct Cena into his Hall of Pain.

So, how did Henry react to the 2024 remake of WWE’s Great Pretender?

He liked it.

The WWE Hall of Famer and former World Champion wrote on X, “Well done, AJ,” before signing off with three clapping hands emojis and a mention for his Busted Open Radio and WWE.

Earlier this week, Henry’s contract with All Elite Wrestling expired. Though he’s moving on from AEW, the World’s Strongest Man intends to stay involved in the sports entertainment industry, saying earlier this week, “I am not leaving pro wrestling. What I’m saying is that I’m going to take some time to work on some projects, and I’m going to come back again full force. Because that’s what I do.”

Perhaps in his spare time, Henry can introduce Styles to a talented tailor — one who appreciates the flair of a salmon-colored blazer and can use such tones to craft high-fashion garments to make The Phenomenal One look truly phenomenal.