a tribute to Curt "Mr Perfect" Henning

[The Ironman]

Curt Henning's Career Highlights

- After completing his training, Hang competed primarily in Wisconsin, Colorado, and Canada.
- In 1981, Henning had a short stint with the WWF as a jobber. His next stop was the NWA-Pacific Coast Federation.
- On May 10, 1983, Hennig defeated Sheik Abdullah Ali Hassen for the Pacific Coast title in Portland, OR.
- Hennig captured the Pacific Cost Tag Team titles with Buddy Rose on November 5, 1983, from Rip Oliver and The Assassin.
- On December 23, 1983, Henning and Pat (Scott) McGhee defeated the Dynamite Kid and The Assassin for the Pacific Coast Tag Team title in Eugene, OR.
- In 1984, Hennig joined the AWA. A year later, Hennig found himself the ideal tag team partner in "Big" Scott Hall.
- On September 28, 1985, Henning, Hall, and Greg Gagne defeated Ray Stevens, Nick Bockwinkel, and Larry Zbysko at Superclash in Chicago, IL.
- On January 18, 1986, Henning and Hall defeated Steve Regal and Jim Garvin for the AWA World Tag Team title in a 58 minute match in Albuquerque, NM.
- At WrestleRock '86, Henning and Hall beat Bill and Scott Irwin to retain the AWA World Tag Team title in Minneapolis, MN.
- On May 2, 1987, Henning defeated Bockwinkel for the AWA title in San Francisco, CA when Zbyszko handed him a roll of coins. The title was held up and upon review was awarded to Henning eleven days later.
- In 1988, Henning arrived in the WWF as Mr. Perfect.
- Mr. Perfect defeated the Blue Blazer (Owen Hart) at Wrestlemania V.
- Mr. Perfect won a tournament to capture the vacant Intercontinental title on April 23, 1990. Bobby "The Brain" Heenan interfered in the final match against Tito Santana on Henning’s behalf, and became his "perfect manager."
- On November 19, 1990, Mr. Perfect captured his second Intercontinental title from Kerry Von Erich.
- In 1991, Henning served both as Ric Flair’s executive consultant and as a WWF commentator.
- On September 1, 1992, Mr. Perfect interfered in a WWF title match that assisted Ric Flair in winning the WWF title.
- A short time later, a feud between Mr. Perfect and Flair ensued which led to a January 1993 loser-leaves-federation match. Mr. Perfect was victorious, landing Flair back in WCW.
- Mr. Perfect pinned Lex Luger at Wrestlemania IX in Las Vegas, NV.
- In the summer of 1993, Henning seriously injured his back. He received compensation from Lloyds of London. At the time, his future in the ring was in jeopardy.
- On October 21, 1996, Henning double crossed Marc Mero and helped Hunter Hearst Helmsley to capture the Intercontinental title.
- Following a contract dispute with the WWF, Henning signed with World Championship Wrestling.
- Henning was Diamond’s Dallas Page’s mystery partner at the 1997 Bash at the Beach, but turned against DDP during the match.
- On August 21, 1997, Henning and Flair defeated Syxx (X-Pac) and Konnan at Clash of the Champions XXXV.
- A few days later, Henning joined the Four Horsemen, accepting Arn Anderson’s spot.
- At the 1997 War Games, Henning turned his back on the Horsemen and joined the New World Order.
- The next night, Henning defeated Steve "Mongo" McMichael for the United States title.
- Henning formed the West Texas Red Necks with Bobby Duncum Jr., Barry Windham, and Kendall Windham. The group recorded their own entrance theme, “Rap Is Crap”
- On February 21, 1999, Hennig and Barry Windham defeated Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko for the WCW World Tag Team title.
- Prior to the 1999 Great American Bash Hennig requested Master P.’s autograph, but threw the CD down to enrage his entourage.
- In the Summer of 2000, Hennig's WCW contract expired.
- On July 28, 2000, Hennig defeated Brutus Beefcake to become the first Superstars of Wrestling champion in Wollongong, Australia.
- In the Summer of 2001, Hennig was recognized as the first MEWF (Main Event Wrestling Federation) champion.
- In Jan 2002 Mr Perfect wrestled at the WWF Royal Rumble, and was the 3rd last to be eliminated. Henning and Goldust will be staying on with the company.
- In May 2002, WWE released Hennig from his contract after the 'Plane Incident' in which he and Brock Lesnar got into an argument on the flight home that could have been disastrous. Henning was reportedly the instigator of the fight after he claimed he could down the former NCAA Champion, Brock Lesnar. Hennig and Lesnar soon came to blows and when both were fighting hit a emergency exit. Triple H reportedly was involved trying to break the two apart.
- Despite this, after his time at the WWE, Henning was enjoying wrestling again with various smaller wrestling associations and it is a real shock to me that a man of just 44, is now no longer with us

may my condolences go to the family of Curt Henning and im sure you guys all agree he'll be missed

[CandyKANE]

He will be missed!

R.I.P.

[Bruce Bolt]

My personal favorite Henning highlight was his IC title feud with Texas Tornado.

[CandyKANE]

----------- LEGENDARY EXTREME WRESTLING DIGEST (L.E.W.D) ------------
\------------------- ISSUE #1207 FEBRUARY 2003 --------------------/
<- Top Stories ->-----------------------------------<- Top Stories ->
<---------------> Main Headline's for Today <--------------->

CURT HENNIG PASSES AWAY. Hennig was found dead today (2/10) in his
hotel room in Tampa, Florida. Hennig was scheduled to work for Jimmy
Hart tonight at the Florida State Fair. No details are known yet as
to the cause of death. This is certainly a sad day for pro wrestling
fans. We at LEWD would like to pass our condolences along to the
Hennig family.

Curt Hennig began his pro wrestling career in 1979 in Minnesota. He
was quickly considered one of the best technicians in the business.

He worked for Pacific Northwest Championship Wrestling, CWA, AWA and
a few regional independents in the no east before getting a break in
WWF. Hennig recently worked with NWA TNA after he was released from
his WWE contract. Hennig also worked for XWF in 2001 and worked many
north east independent dates (including 3Pw, IPW and TCW). Hennig
was one of the greatest bump takers in the business when he was "on".

Hennig held the AWA World Tag Team Titles with Scott Hall in 1986 and
won his first major WWF Singles Title in 1990 capturing the IC title.

Hennig won the IC title two times defeating Tito Santana (1) and then
Kerry Von Erich (2). The last title reign for Hennig was in 1990.

Hennig also held the WCW United States Championship once in 1998 when
he defeated Steve "Mongo" McMichael on Monday Nitro.

But the biggest win of Curt Hennig's career was when he defeated Nick
Bockwinkle on May 2, 1987 in San Francisco, California. His victory
over Bockwinkle was for the AWA World title. He held the title until
May 9, 1998 when he lost it to Jerry "The King" Lawler in Memphis,
Tennessee. Curt Hennig was 6'3" 235 lbs and was born on March 28,
1960 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the son of legendary
professional wrestling Larry "The Axe" Hennig. As a second generation
wrestler, Curt had to live up to his fathers legend.

Curt quickly made a name for himself and overshadowed his Father when
it came to work rate and actual in ring ability. Curt debuted in 1979
teaming with a young Scott Hall in AWA. The duo quickly won the AWA
titles beating Jimmy "Jam" Garvin and Steve Regal on January 18, 1986
in Minnesota. In the fall of 1998, Hennig left AWA for WWF.

Vince McMahon gave Curt Hennig a new character known as "Mr. Perfect"
and it was under the "Mr. Perfect" persona where Hennig would finally
break though to the next level as a professional wrestler. Hennig
filmed various vignette's before his debut in WWF showing how he "was
perfect" (incredible material to this day, which has not ever been
duplicated and probably never will). Hennig was shown excelling in
numerous sporting events against legit sports stars. In 1989 Hennig
was involved in the biggest angle of his career when he destroyed
Hulk Hogan's Championship belt and began a feud with Hogan.

Hennig was undefeatedin his WWE career until he lost a fall to Hogan
on Saturday Night's Main Event. Many felt Hennig should have beat
Hogan for the title and extended the program a few more months, but
Hennig jobbed instead. Hennig then started appearing with Bobby "The
Brain" Heenan and entered the tournament for the vacant IC title. It
led to Hennig finally winning his first WWE singles title. In the
finals Hennig defeated Tito Santana in a match that is considered one
of the best IC Matches in the history of the title. Hennig would lose
the IC title to Kerry Von Erich only to regain it back from Von Erich
and hold it for nine months. Hennig then dropped the title to Bret
"The Hitman" Hart and would never regain it again. During the match
against Hart at the 1991 SummerSlam in New York, Hennig injured his
back and was forced out of action for a few months.

In late 1991 Hennig returned with Ric Flair to WWE. Hennig was in as
his "advisor" and was not in a wrestling position at the time. Curt
was collecting insurance with Lloyd's of London and didn't want to do
anything to jeopardize it, so he came in as a non physical advisor.

Hennig helped Flair eventually capture the WWE Title and the two also
ended up having a public argument leading to a match between the two.

In January of 1993 on RAW, Curt Hennig defeated Ric Flair in a match
where the loser had to leave the WWF. Curt once again injured his
back and was back on the shelf again. In 1995 Hennig came back to do
one last run with WWE as a color commentator at the 1995 WWE Survivor
Series event. In 1996 Curt Hennig became Triple H's advisor but then
left WWE for World Championship Wrestling. Hennig wanted to get back
in to the ring full time and WWE did not see him wrestling much, so
he took a better offer from WCW. Hennig was in as Diamond Dallas
Pages tag team partner v. Scott Hall & Randy Savage. Hennig later
would be shifted in to the "Four Horsemen" when Arn Anderson couldn't
wrestle any longer due to injuries. Hennig eventually turned on Ric
Flair and was headed to a major feud against Flair. Hennig was with
the New World Order and quickly got lost in the nWo shuffle. Hennig
beat Steve "Mongo" McMichael for the U.S. Title and lost it 3 months
later to Diamond Dallas Page. Hennig took much of 1998 off due to a
serious knee injury. Hennig did work a couple matches in 1998 and he
jobbed in squashes to Bill Goldberg both times.

In 1999 Hennig returned to form a team with Barry Windham and win the
WCW Tag Team Titles. But his knee gave out again and he was soon out
of WCW again. Hennig appeared on TV in non wrestling roles for most
of 1999. In 2000 WCW finally decided to release Hennig because of an
increased concern over his wrestling related injuries. Hennig worked
for northeast independent groups during his time away from WCW & WWE.

When WWE bought WCW it was widely thought Hennig's chances of one day
returning to the national scene had ended. Hennig then started doing
work with Jimmy Hart and his XWF group. XWF never really took off on
the national level and Hennig faded to obscurity once again. Hennig
finally did return to the national scene in 2002 at Royal Rumble. He
got one of the biggest pops of the night and his WWE career seemed to
be headed in the right direction. Hennig, although slower, was one
of the top workers in the business still. The following statement
was posted on WWE.COM on May 13, 2002: "Curt Hennig, who portrayed
the character of Mr. Perfect in WWE, has been released from his
contract. WWE wishes him the best in the future."

The cause of Hennig's release was due to an incident on a flight from
the United Kingdom back to the United States. Hennig instigated a
fight with Brock Lesnar. Hennig was considered the one who started
the fight because he was intoxicated at the time. Hennig then ended
up working north east independents again until he hooked up with Jeff
& Jerry Jarrett in NWA TNA. Hennig had been working for TNA up until
a few weeks back when he opted to leave the promotion for good.

Hennig was upset at the direction of the company under Vince Russo so
he quit the promotion. In recent weeks Hennig had been talking about
starting his own company to run against WWE. Hennig was 44 at the
time of his death.

On a personal note. Curt Hennig was one of the great wrestlers. The
thought of watching Curt Hennig work in his prime always excited me.

I will certainly miss Curt Hennig. He was one of the good guys.

[CandyKANE]

credit:1wrestling.com

Pro wrestler Curt Hennig, of Champlin, found dead in Florida
Nolan Zavoral
Star Tribune

Published Feb. 11, 2003 HENN11


Professional wrestler Curt Hennig, 44, of Champlin, who began his career in Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association more than two decades ago, was found dead in his hotel room Monday in Brandon, Fla.

Hennig, also known by his ring name of Mr. Perfect, was to wrestle Monday night at the Florida State Fair in Tampa. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said that a housekeeper at the Homestead Suites Motel found Hennig's body at 1:30 p.m., and that paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

A Sheriff's Office spokeswoman said that foul play was not suspected but that the office was investigating. Hennig's body had been turned over to the medical examiner's office, the Associated Press reported, but calls to the office were not returned.

Hennig, the son of former professional wrestler Larry (the Axe) Hennig, graduated from Robbinsdale High School and a short time later followed his father into Gagne's now-defunct wrestling organization.

"He worked out, trained hard, and he became pretty good," said Gagne, who schooled Curt Hennig in pro wrestling.

"He didn't have much of an amateur background, to the best of my knowledge, but he took to the pro style very well.

"He was a good athlete, and he picked up things quickly -- like getting thrown out of the ring at different angles and leaping off the top [ring] rope.

"With a wrestler not as athletic as he was, that takes time."

Gagne said that Hennig, who stood about 6-foot-2, weighed 225 pounds when he started out, but eventually jumped to 250.

Gagne's son, Greg, also was a second-generation pro wrestler who wrestled with and against Hennig.

"At first, he was pretty meek and laid back," said Greg, who also had a hand in training Hennig. "He was intimidated by a lot of the (more experienced) wrestlers.

"But eventually his real personality came through: He was arrogant, a little cocky."

'Fun guy'

Both Gagnes called Hennig "a fun guy," and Greg said, "He always knew how to make people laugh."

After wrestling in main events in the American Wrestling Association (AWA) in the late 1980s, Hennig worked in Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment. It was McMahon, a bitter rival of Verne Gagne, who gave Hennig his nickname of Mr. Perfect -- reportedly based on Hennig's comment that "anything I do, I'm perfect."

All told, Hennig won the AWA heavyweight title; the intercontinental title in McMahon's organization, in 1990, and other titles in World Championship Wrestling, in 1997 and 1999, as reported in today's editions of the Tampa Tribune.

At the time of his death, Hennig had joined Jimmy Hart All-Star Wrestling.

"He always kept himself in the best condition," Hart was quoted in the Tampa newspaper. "He always looked great, like he never aged."

Greg Gagne said that he didn't think Hennig suffered from major health problems, but that his sisters had heart trouble.

Larry Hennig could not be reached for comment Monday night, and details of his son's personal life were sketchy. Greg Gagne said that Hennig was married and had four children, two boys and two girls. He said the older boy, about 22 or 23, had not pursued a career in professional wrestling.

Before Monday night's wrestling matches in Tampa, the crowd of more than 2,000 stood for a 10-bell salute to honor Curt Hennig, the Tampa Tribune reported.

Said Greg Gagne: "We lost a good competitor. He was good for the sport of wrestling."

[CandyKANE]

More news has developed regarding the passing of Curt Hennig. On Sunday night, Curt was out to dinner and was said to be having a lot of gas pain and was burping a lot. Referee Mickey Jay called him in the morning yesterday, and asked him to go to breakfast but Curt decided he would rather stay in bed. At about 1 p.m. the wrestlers scheduled to appear on Jimmy Hart's show went to the building and Jimmy asked where Curt was. Dave "The Cuban Assassin" Sierra and his wife went to get him at the hotel. When they knocked on the door they got no answer and it was at that point, they got the maid to open the door and they found him in bed.

Credit: Dave Scherer @ 1Wrestling.com




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- NWA-TNA officials are planning to honor Hennig during Wednesday night's show. A message on the TNA website reads: "The entire TNA family is saddened to hear of the passing of Curt Hennig. During the time he spent with us he touched us all with his humor and his competitive spirit. He was a great champion and someone we were proud to be associated with. He will be deeply missed by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Credit: Jason Powell @ PWTorch.com

[CandyKANE]

It's days like this ...
by Dr. Tom Prichard
Feb. 11, 2003

It's times like these all I can do is shake my head and ask, why? I have the greatest job in the world. For over 25 years, I have met some pretty cool and crazy characters. The reason I wanted to be a wrestler in the first place was because it looked like fun. You get to travel the world and be around all kinds of interesting people and places.

Along the way, we've lost some key people who made our life on the road fun and exciting. On Monday, Feb. 10, we lost Curt Hennig.

I met Curt in Portland, Ore., in 1984. Right away, he made me feel at home. I could tell Curt was someone who loved life and kept things light on the road. The travel in Oregon wasn't bad at all. We were home almost every night. We mainly wrestled in high school gyms and National Guard armories.

We had a pretty good crew at the time: Matt Borne, Mando Guerrero, Jerry Gray, Brett Sawyer, Buddy Rose, Rip Oliver, Frankie Hill (aka Jules Strongbow), Ed Wiskoski, Mike Miller, and I'm sure there were some other guys whose names escape me right now. Everybody got along, but that didn't stop the ribbing.

One night while wrestling in an armory, Matt Borne started ribbing Frankie Hill about his shoes. They were new and pretty expensive. Well, Frankie went out for his match, and when he came back, he only found one shoe. Matt had taken the other shoe and hid it on top of the toilet. It didn't take long for Frankie to find it. But Frankie had to run in during the main event, which meant he had to leave his belongings once again in the dressing room.

As soon as Frankie walked out the door, Curt took both shoes and put each one in the toilet, and he and Matt (they rode together) left! Frankie came back from the match and found both shoes soaking wet. He was pissed but managed to laugh it off by the time we got to the car. Nobody "stooged" on Curt or Matt. Frankie knew who did it and was planning on giving them both a "receipt."

Curt played innocent and Frankie never got his revenge, as Curt left the territory and went home to Minnesota shortly thereafter.

Curt had a lot of success and made things fun and interesting wherever he went. When Jimmy Del Ray, Jim Cornette and I came to WWE in 1993, Curt picked up where we left off. It's like that a lot of times. You haven't seen somebody in a while, but you start reminiscing about the old times and the good times you had in another part of the country during a different chapter in

I hadn't talked to Curt since he came back for his last go-round with WWE. The last time I saw him and talked at any length was in Houston at WrestleMania X-Seven. He looked great and was the same guy I knew years before. The news of his death was a shock. I felt numb as it started to sink in. I can only imagine how his family is dealing with their loss. I am grateful for the time I was around Curt and will always remember him for his free spirit and passion for not only this business, but also everything in life. He will be missed.

[-STITAN-]

Just one question, how did he die?

[CandyKANE]

A spokesman from the Hillsborough County Examiner's office told Tampa newsman and friend of the site Ric Russo that they won't release the autopsy results on Curt Hennig for 6 to 8 weeks so no official cause of death will be known until then.

[CandyKANE]

Among the names who were present at the viewing of Curt Hennig were: Vince, Shane and Stephanie McMahon, Bill Goldberg, Shawn Michaels, Rick Steiner, Ray Traylor, Verne & Greg Gagne, Steve Keirn, Brian Blair, Jim Brunzell, Brian Knobs, Harley Race and Masa Saito. Brock Lesnar, Jesse Ventura and Bret Hart joined most of the aforementioned names at Hennig's funeral on Monday morning.

Source: wrestlingobserver.com