Mark Henry, the WWE Hall of Famer and former World’s Strongest Man, has responded firmly to the ongoing ageist criticism directed at LA Knight, one of WWE’s most popular superstars today. Despite LA Knight’s rise to main-event status through his charisma and wrestling ability, critics argue that his age is a barrier to receiving a world title opportunity, a claim Henry challenges based on wrestling history and current talent dynamics.
Mark Henry Challenges the Notion That LA Knight is Too Old
LA Knight has earned a strong fan following and prominence on the WWE roster after a long period in the mid-card ranks. His skills inside the ring and compelling presence have elevated him, yet the argument over his age persists, with some suggesting Triple H is hesitant to give Knight a championship shot because he is considered too old.
Speaking on TMZ’s Inside The Ring podcast, Mark Henry addressed this criticism head-on by highlighting past eras in wrestling when performers didn’t receive title runs until much later in their careers, often after turning 40. Henry noted that wrestlers in previous generations regularly competed well into their 60s, suggesting that age has historically been a less significant obstacle than critics claim today.
As far as him being too old, there was a time where in wrestling, you didn’t even get your shot until you were 40. You didn’t get a shot. Guys wrestled into their 60s,
Mark Henry said.
Mark Henry’s Initial Skepticism Transformed by LA Knight’s Talent
Before fully supporting LA Knight, Henry admitted he was initially uncertain about Knight’s potential. He believed Knight relied too heavily on emulating others instead of forging his own path. However, Knight’s performances and growing fan reaction convinced Henry that Knight is deserving of his rise and the chance to become a top star.
LA Knight is an outstanding talent,
Henry said.
There was a time when I didn’t believe. I thought that he leaned on what other people did and are doing too much, and not creating his own thing. He has proved that he belongs and deserves the opportunity to be the guy.
Henry also offered advice about Knight’s in-ring and promo work, encouraging him to focus more on his natural strengths, particularly his ability on the microphone, rather than trying to imitate others or stretch himself too thin.
There’s things that he does that I would say, ‘Hey man, segue out of that and do more of what you’re really good at,’ which is walk and talk. He’s a good wrestler, at the end of the day. There’s so much that he can do that he doesn’t do, and you need to lean into that.
The Impact of Addressing LA Knight Ageist Criticism
Mark Henry’s comments provide a strong counterpoint to ongoing skepticism about LA Knight’s career trajectory related to his age. By placing Knight’s situation in the context of wrestling traditions and Henry’s firsthand experience, the criticism based on age comes across as outdated and unfounded. This response could influence public perception and WWE booking decisions, potentially paving the way for LA Knight to receive the world title opportunities that reflect his abilities and popularity.
With endorsements from respected figures like Mark Henry and discussions from insiders like Kevin Nash already underway, LA Knight’s future in WWE appears increasingly promising despite past obstacles tied to his age.
