AEW star Isiah Kassidy recently interviewed WWE Hall of Famer and AEW broadcaster Mark Henry, who looked back on his “Sexual Chocolate” character in WWE. Some highlights (via WrestlingInc.com) below:
Mark Henry on the inspiration for Sexual Chocolate: “Sexual Chocolate was a byproduct of me watching ‘Coming to America,’ and watching Randy Watson and his group ‘Sexual Chocolate,’ and me wanting to be funny, me wanting to clown, me wanting to have a good time.”
On proposing the idea to Vince McMahon: “When I proposed it, they said, ‘No.’ I said, ‘You got to see it,’ so I showed it to him [Vince McMahon] and I came in the back and he was like, ‘Alright, that’s pretty good.’ He didn’t want me to be serious, he wanted me to be an ass-kicker. He didn’t want me to do comedy.”
On why the gimmick was so funny: “That ended up being one of the funniest things in the history of pro wrestling, definitely in the Attitude Era. It gave the Attitude Era levity because there was so much serious and so many stars that was, you know, the one finish and done, and I was entertaining.”
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Mark Henry, a WWE Hall of Famer and current AEW broadcaster, recently discussed his iconic “Sexual Chocolate” character in a recent interview with AEW star Isiah Kassidy. The character, which gained popularity during the Attitude Era, was known for its comedic elements and unique personality.
According to Mark Henry, the inspiration for the Sexual Chocolate character came from the movie “Coming to America.” He was particularly influenced by the character Randy Watson and his group called “Sexual Chocolate.” Henry wanted to bring humor and entertainment to his wrestling persona, and he saw an opportunity to do so with this character.
However, when Henry initially proposed the idea to Vince McMahon, the chairman of WWE, it was met with resistance. McMahon wanted Henry to be a serious and dominant wrestler, rather than focusing on comedy. Despite this initial rejection, Henry persisted and showed McMahon his vision for the character. McMahon eventually agreed that it had potential and gave Henry the green light to proceed.
The Sexual Chocolate gimmick became one of the funniest and most memorable aspects of the Attitude Era in professional wrestling. It provided a much-needed levity amidst the serious storylines and intense matches that were prevalent during that time. Henry’s entertaining portrayal of the character made him stand out among other stars in the industry.
The success of the Sexual Chocolate character highlights the importance of diversity in wrestling personas. While serious and dominant characters have their place, incorporating humor and entertainment can add depth and variety to the overall product. Mark Henry’s ability to balance both aspects of his character made him a fan favorite during his time in WWE.
In conclusion, Mark Henry’s Sexual Chocolate character was inspired by the movie “Coming to America” and brought a unique blend of humor and entertainment to professional wrestling. Despite initial resistance, the character became a hit during the Attitude Era and showcased Henry’s versatility as a performer. The success of this gimmick emphasizes the importance of diversity in wrestling personas and the impact they can have on the overall product.