WWE: Mark Henry Is the World Champion: Are You a Believer Yet?

"Here is your winner...and the NEW World Heavyweight Champion—the World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry!"

A couple weeks ago, the world witnessed one of the greatest, if not the greatest, moments in WWE's 2011 year. When those words were shouted by the ring announcer, the WWE Universe lost their minds.

Some loved it (hello!). Others hated it. The rest were just left in awe, as only a select few truly believed what they were seeing...and hearing. Mark Henry was the World Champion, soundly defeating Randy Orton in the middle of the ring at Night of Champions.

"The 15 year odyssey is over!"

Michael Cole hit the nail on the head here. He may say ridiculous things time and time again, but truer words were never spoken.

From being an Olympic weightlifter to being a member of the Nation of Domination to being the father of a "hand" to bending frying pans in the middle of the ring to now World Champion.

To go through all that in 15 years...the payoff was well worth the wait. Not only for himself, but also for his few select supporters out there. We know who we are.

"A new focus—a new anger!"

I have said it time and time and time again. This is Mark Henry's best run, and I dare anyone to show me a better stretch for the big man. He has been on a roll, and I have not been shy to speak my mind on it.

To see him transform himself since being drafted to WWE Smackdown has been amazing. You all remember my video—the one where he cried, saying he would be World Champion by end of the year? Yeah, how bout that?

"You're all doubters, you're all haters"

What to say? What to say? Honestly, all I have to do is remind everybody how they felt about Mark Henry many weeks back. What did the IWC have to say? Well, it wasn't too pretty.

"Oh, and don't start cheering!"

I tried. I really tried to fill up the bandwagon for Mark Henry. I tried my hardest. Even last night at Heck on a Deck's PPV, you can start to sense a few more Mark Henry fans popping their heads out in the public. Speaking of-Smackdown's rating went THROUGH the roof now that Henry won the gold!

Sorry folks—too late. I have been driving that bandwagon for far too long to let stragglers on now. Too jump on his great work NOW, come on!

"This is my moment, and I'm not sharing it with none of ya; you don't deserve this!"

Exactly. Well said, Mr. Henry. What were all of his supporters over the years? Where were they a couple months ago? What happened to have "no chance" of beating Orton? Or even retaining at Heck on a Deck last night?

Mark Henry needed this badly for his future Hall of Fame spot. Check out the poll in that article, check out the comments. Care to call for a mulligan...?

To see Mark Henry standing in the ring with the gold firmly in his grasp was a sight to see. NOT for me, but for him.

Earlier this year, Christian got his moment. At No Way Out 2004, Eddie Guerrero got his moment. This was Mark Henry's moment, and he isn't forgetting what people said about his career. I know I'm not. Kudos to Mark Henry on shoving down the fans' throats after a decade of disrespect!

"...and I'm never, EVER losing this title!"

To cap off one of the best promos of the year, Mark Henry delivers a stern warning—he is NOT losing this title. Strong words from a strong man.

I am sure a lot of folks will be unhappy with this, but guess what? Henry is going to be champion for a long, long, long time, and everybody better get used to it.

Again—I tried to soften the blow the past few months, but it seemed to go nowhere. Mark Henry is the man right now, and nothing has changed in my eyes. He is still the best on WWE TV today.

In closing, my fandom of Mark Henry has not been a secret. The IWC has absolutely destroyed this man for years and years and years. Anybody care to change their tunes?

You wanna still hate him...go ahead, but with each victory he racks up, you know Mark Henry will be loving it, Vince McMahon will be loving it, and I will be loving it.

"Welcome to the Mark Henry era!"