WWF star Christian knows first-hand the power possessed by the world's strongest man Mark Henry.

''It was cool doing the TV spots with him, good entertaining stuff,'' Christian said. ``Those feats of strength he's doing backstage on TV are all legitimate. All the guys are actually standing there in awe of this guy when he's doing these things. It's very impressive.''

At 5-foot-10, 215 pounds, Christian will face the massive Henry during a WWF house show (no television) Saturday, May 4 at the National Car Rental Center in (South Florida) Sunrise, FL.

''He's definitely very strong as you can see by those tests of strength he's been doing which are unbelievable,'' said Christian. ``It will be a challenge, wrestling him.

``You know when you wrestle someone like him it's not going to be a fast-paced, high-flying match like it would be against someone smaller than him (i.e. the Hardy Boyz, Kidman, Tajiri, Hurricane, Chavo Guerrero). Basically, it's going to be me using speed and bouncing off him. He will use his size and strength.''

Not the first time wrestling in the South, Christian enjoys touring Florida.

''It's nice to have shows in Florida because I don't have to go too far from home,'' the Tampa, FL resident said. ``It makes for a short travel day for me which is nice. The fans in Florida are great, and we always get good turnouts. I look forward to it.''

A native north of the U.S. border, Christian moved from Toronto, Canada to Tampa two years ago. He and his wife Denise love the sunshine and relaxation of Centralwest Florida.

''I like the area,'' he said. ``I traveled to Florida to do shows, and I vacationed in Florida as a kid. I always thought if there came a time to move from Canada to the United States, Florida would be the place to be. So we looked and found a place we liked.''

Married life is a challenge when travel is a constant in the work force, but Christian and Denise make the very best of the situation.

''I was already wrestling and in the WWF when we met,'' he said. ``With me on the road, this is the way it's always been, and we don't know any different way than with me being gone and coming home for a few days. We make the most of the few days I'm home each week.''

During those working days, Christian recently worked Positively Page/Diamond Dallas Page. A fun program, who can forget Christian's goofy smile.

''The smile came during the first interaction we had, and it got a good reaction so we stayed with it,'' he said. ``At the time, neither of us were involved in a feud. So the timing was right, and it worked out well for both of us. We had a match at WrestleMania.''

Positively speaking in the ring, Christian also sheds positive light on the brand split.

''I think the brand split is positive for everybody,'' Christian said. ``With so many guys this gives more opportunity for them to step up and rise up on the card and get on the show more. It's a positive thing for guys who maybe haven't had a chance or weren't getting much TV time before to get that now and get that exposure they want.''

The brand split creates competition among the ranks.

''It doesn't matter when it is,'' he said. ``There's always going to be talent competing for spots. You just have to make sure you're always there ready to perform and to do it to the best of your abilities. That's all you can do.''

Even before the brand split, Christian gained much exposure teaming and eventually feuding with Edge. Not resting on his laurels, he continues to learn.

''Kurt Angle, Jericho, Austin, Undertaker, all these guys with so much knowledge are always there to answer questions,'' said Christian, ``and that is a big help to us.''

He's learning very nicely. As a member of the cult-like faction The Brood, Christian captured the Light Heavyweight Championship from Taka Michinoku in his debut match on October 18, 1998.

After he and his scripted brother Edge broke away from The Brood, the duo became one of the most successful tag teams in WWF history. Edge and Christian won the tag team championship seven times. They excelled in tables, ladders and chairs matches against the Hardy Boyz and the Dudley Boyz.

However, after Edge won the King of the Ring Tournament in June 2001, it was obvious to everyone Christian had become a bitter, jealous man. His jealousy finally turned him against his brother, and the two had their share of singles matchups.

Since their breakup, however, Christian hasn't found the same success that he had with Edge. In fact, Christian went on an incredible losing streak that resulted in him wanting to quit the WWF.

DDP stepped in to cheer him up in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania X8. But as soon as he won again, Christian disposed of his positive friend as fast as he could. A member of Team SmackDown, he now turns his attentions to the world's strongest man.

''Personally, I feel I worked a long, hard time to get here,'' Christian said. ``So every night I go out there -- whether it's a house show or TV or a pay-per-view -- I'm going to do it to the best of my abilities. That's the way I've always done things. That's the way I want to continue to perform and be the best I can be.''

• The Rock and Hollywood Hulk Hogan battle Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho in the main event of a WWF house show (no television) on Saturday, May 4 at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, FL.

''With the Scorpion King movie and all his other accomplishments, so few people have accomplished what The Rock has,'' Christian said, ``and at such a young age is an unbelievable thing.

``To be the movie that makes the most money of any in April during an opening weekend is mind-boggling. It just proves how big a star the guy is. To know him personally and to know he actually is very humble and a good guy makes him deserve it even that much more.