Jim Ross On Signing Huge Contract For Mark Henry: "Other Wrestlers Were Jealous"

WWE Hall of Famer and AEW Commentator Jim Ross has said that there was a lot of jealousy by Superstars when Mark Henry signed a lucrative contract with the World Wrestling Federation. 

Ross, who previously worked in WWE as a commentator and as part of talent relations, signed the World's Strongest Man to a decade-long deal in 1996 after his appearance in the Summer Olympic Games, for a lucrative $250,000 a year.

Speaking on the Grilling JR podcast, the Oklahoma-native said that other Superstars were jealous, but also said he didn't have time for this. 

He said: "I didn’t have time for [talent’s] insecurities and your jealousy. Go to catering and get a table together, I don’t give a s**t. You know, be an adult.”

JR also spoke about first spotting Henry, after the 400lb Texan dunked a Basketball at a charity game.

"He came down, he had this great big smile on his face, exuding charisma and personality. So I’m thinking, ‘Well, I don’t know if the big son of a fun has got the aptitude, or the interest whatsoever, but I think he might fit our business real well," he said.

Joining the WWE that year, Henry would enter the main event 15 years later, capturing the World Heavyweight Championship in 2011.

After a lengthy career, Henry would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018 by the Big Show.