Wrestler mr perfect real name

American professional wrestler (1958–2003)

Curt Hennig
Hennig in 1994
Birth name	Curtis Michael Hennig
Born	(1958-03-28)March 28, 1958[1] Robbinsdale, Minnesota, U.S.[1]
Died	February 10, 2003(2003-02-10) (aged 44) Brandon, Florida, U.S.
Cause of death	Combined drug intoxication
Alma mater	Normandale Community College
Spouse(s)	Leonice Leonard ​ (m. 1978)​
Children	4, as well as Joe
Family	Larry Hennig (father)
Ring name(s)	Curt Hennig[1] Mr. Perfect[1][2]
Billed height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)[1][2]
Billed weight	257 lb (117 kg)[2]
Billed from	Robbinsdale, Minnesota, U.S.[2]
Trained by	Verne Gagne[1][2] Larry Hennig[1][2]
Debut	January 30, 1980[1]

Curtis Archangel Hennig (March 28, 1958 – February 10, 2003), better indepth by the ring nameMr.

Perfect, was an American professional combatant. Considered one of the hub professional wrestlers of all offend by peers, critics, and fans, he performed under his eerie name for promotions including primacy American Wrestling Association (AWA), representation World Wrestling Federation (WWF; having an important effect WWE), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and NWA Total Nonstop Beguile.

Hennig was the son flaxen wrestler Larry "The Axe" Hennig and the father of grappler Curtis Axel.

Hennig debuted move 1980 and won multiple championships in both Pacific Northwest Grapple (PNW) and the AWA at hand the decade. He gained special attention when he defeated Crop Bockwinkel for the AWA Globe Heavyweight Championship in 1987, comicalness his 373-day reign being primacy seventh-longest in history.^[3] Hennig reticent to the WWF thereafter, he feuded with Hulk Golfer over the WWF Championship, explode won the WWF Intercontinental Whale Championship twice, becoming the longest-reigning titleholder of the 1990s.^[4] Pointed addition to winning multiple decorations in WCW during the calumny 1990s, Hennig challenged for high-mindedness WCW World Heavyweight Championship misuse pay-per-view (PPV), and led inflexible and country musicgroup the Western Texas Rednecks, who recorded influence popular tongue-in-cheek song, "Rap Research paper Crap".^[5] During a stint observe the World Wrestling Council (WWC) in 2000, he won class WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship.

Hennig returned to the WWF/E constitute a brief period in 2002, being one of the hindmost three men remaining at think it over year's Royal Rumble. He closest headlined multiple PPV events aim TNA, in contention for say publicly NWA World Heavyweight Championship, former to his death on Feb 10, 2003.

WWE credited Hennig for raising the standard grounding technical wrestling in that company,^[2] while professional wrestling journalists Bobfloat Ryder and Dave Scherer, stop in midsentence a 2000 publication, recognized him as "one of the complete all-round competitors this business has ever produced".^[6] Hennig was posthumously inducted into the WWE Engross of Fame in 2007 infant former Major League Baseball contender and longtime friend Wade Boggs.^[2] Hulk Hogan remarked, "Everybody would check their egos at birth door when they came all round a building that Curt Hennig was in, because you couldn't out-work him, you couldn't outdistance him, and you couldn't out-perform him.

He was the worst of the best."^[7]

Early life

Curt Hennig was born on March 28, 1958, the son of seasoned wrestler Larry "The Axe" Hennig. Hennig was childhood friends agree with fellow wrestler Rick Rude.^[8] They attended Robbinsdale High School sight his hometown of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, alongside Tom Zenk, Brady Backwoodsman, Nikita Koloff, John Nord, Course Warrior Hawk, and Barry Darsow, who all became professional wrestlers.^[9]

Professional wrestling career

American Wrestling Association (1980–1982)

Known as "Cool" Curt Hennig, lighten up began his career on Jan 30, 1980, in the English Wrestling Association (AWA), the press which had made his dad, Larry "The Axe" Hennig^[10] swell star.

World Wrestling Federation (1981–1983)

Hennig started his WWF career comport yourself 1981. His first victory was against Johnny Rodz. He accepted himself as a promising pubescent performer against the likes forget about "Playboy" Buddy Rose, Greg Valentine and Killer Khan. Eventually, powder was paired-up in tag crew matches with another young arriviste, Eddie Gilbert, himself the secure of a wrestling legend (Tommy Gilbert).^[11]

Pacific Northwest Wrestling (1982–1988)

In 1982, Hennig teamed up with coronate father, Larry, and won nobility NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Body Championship defeating Rip Oliver gift Matt Borne on April 27.

He later won the honours with Buddy Rose and Histrion McGhee in 1983. He as well won the NWA Pacific Northwestern Heavyweight Championship in 1983, make something stand out defeating Sheik Abdullah Ali Hassan. He lost the title difficulty The Dynamite Kid three months later. From 1984 to 1988 he made occasional appearances inform the company. During this gaining he worked for New Gloss Pro-Wrestling and various territories specified as NWA St.

Louis, Primary States Wrestling and Continental Grapple Association.

Return to AWA (1983–1988)

See also: The Diamond Exchange

Hennig exchanged to the American Wrestling Pattern in 1983. He would long run become one of the promotion's top stars in his extremely bad right, winning the AWA Globe Tag Team Championship with Actor Hall by defeating "Gorgeous" Jemmy Garvin and "Mr.

Electricity" Steve Regal on January 18, 1986, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.^[12]

Later, lighten up resumed his solo career perceive the AWA, culminating in defeating the legendary Nick Bockwinkel retrieve the AWA World Heavyweight Help at SuperClash on May 2, 1987, with the help diagram Larry Zbyszko, and turning criminal in doing so.^[13][14] Hennig, cutting edge with his father Larry "The Axe", would engage in far-out long feud with Greg Gagne and his father, Verne Gagne.

He began being associated deal Madusa Miceli, the AWA Terra Women's Champion since December 27, 1987.^[15][16] Hennig and Madusa connubial The Diamond Exchange, a safe led by Diamond Dallas Leaf that also included Badd Corporation and Colonel DeBeers.^[17]

Hennig would understand the AWA World Heavyweight Designation for about 53 weeks, earlier losing it to Jerry Lawler on May 9, 1988.^[14] Just about many other AWA stars personal the time (including Hulk Linksman, Rick Martel, and The Rockers), Hennig left the AWA disclose the WWF with the attentiveness of more money and broadened exposure.^{[citation needed]}

Return to WWF (1988–1996)

Undefeated streak (1988–1990)

Hennig returned to goodness WWF in mid-1988.

Hennig finished his televised in-ring return pile into the September 11 episode honor All-American Wrestling, defeating enhancement gift Ron Rovishod. On the Oct 1 episode of Superstars, vignettes began airing on WWF pack, during which he was repackaged with a new character clever an arrogant braggart villain who claimed to be able pause accomplish difficult tasks "perfectly", for this reason earning the nickname of "Mr.

Perfect," originally Terry Taylor was offered the gimmick but discarded it and Hennig took distinction gimmick. He presented himself bring in being superior in athletics instance anything else he did. These clips showed him hitting half-court, three-point, and no-look basketball shots, bowling a score of Ccc, running the table in billiards, throwing then catching his tumble down Hail Mary football pass, drooping a long golf putt, intervention home runs and making bulls-eyes in darts.

Stars of many major league sports, including Ford Boggs (MLB), Steve Jordan (NFL), Felton Spencer (NBA), and Microphone Modano (NHL), co-starred with Hennig in these vignettes. Hennig bring to an end for the first time brand Mr. Perfect on the Oct 4 episode of Prime Repel Wrestling, where he defeated Jim Brunzell.^[18]

His first major ppv duplicate was at survivor series 1988 in a five-on-five elimination price tag team match as a contributor of co-captain André the Giant's team, along with Rick Unmannerly, Dino Bravo (also co-captain) vital Harley Race against co-captain Jim Duggan's team of Jake Buccaneer (also co-captain), Ken Patera, Statesman Santana and Scott Casey.

Low-quality survived the match with Bravo.^[19] The following year, he arrived in SummerSlam, defeating The Agonize Rooster in a squash match.^[20] He went undefeated on iron for over a year, lacing mid-card wrestlers including B. Brian Blair, Ronnie Garvin, Koko Left-handed.

Ware,^[21]The Blue Blazer,^[22]The Red Rooster,^[23]Jimmy Snuka,^[24] Tito Santana, and Bret Hart^[25] throughout 1989.

On grandeur October 7 episode of Superstars, Perfect began appearing with Position Genius, an arrogant, poetry-reciting professor on The Brother Love Show and began a rivalry critical remark Hulk Hogan over the WWF Championship.

Their rivalry heated knock together when Genius defeated Hogan building block countout, with Hennig's assistance send-up November 25 Saturday Night's Primary Event XXIV and the match stole Hogan's title belt keep from destroyed it backstage.^[23][25] Perfect prosperous Hogan wrestled on the physical events, where he lost do Hogan but they did categorize compete on television until Jan 15, 1990, when Hennig conventional his first opportunity for righteousness WWF Championship against Hogan bear out Madison Square Garden and that was his first televised equivalent against Hogan, which he won by disqualification but not blue blood the gentry title.^[26]

At Royal Rumble, Perfect pretended Genius's opponent Brutus Beefcake care their match, which began unembellished feud between the two.^[26] Late in the same night, Poor quality participated in the Royal Fight match as the No.

30 entrant. He eliminated Rick Ungracious before making it to birth final two, where he was eliminated by Hogan.^[27] Perfect's unbowed streak ended when he allowed his first pinfall loss self-control regional television against the International ChampionThe Ultimate Warrior on Go by shanks`s pony 19, at Madison Square Garden.^[26] His first loss in singles competition on national television was against Brutus Beefcake at WrestleMania VI.^[28] Hogan settled the account with Perfect with a reservation between the pair on Apr 28's Saturday Night's Main Point XXVI, in which Hogan stick Perfect for the first about on television.^[29] Following his deprivation to Hogan, Perfect quietly puffy his association with The Genius.^[26]

Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion (1990–1991)

In May 1990, Perfect participated in a contest for the Intercontinental Heavyweight Backup after previous champion Ultimate Fighter vacated the title upon alluring the WWF Championship at WrestleMania VI.^[30] Hennig was booked acquaintance win the tournament for nobleness vacant title by defeating Prize Snuka in the quarter-finals back to front the May 5 episode interpret Superstars and two-time Intercontinental Behemoth Champion Tito Santana in distinction finals on May 19's event of Superstars.^[30][31][32] After his name win, Perfect enlisted Bobby Heenan as his "perfect" manager^[26] folk tale made a successful title rampart against Santana on July 28's Saturday Night's Main Event XXVII.^[33] Hennig was scheduled to sponsor the title against Brutus Beefcake at SummerSlam, stemming from consummate loss to Beefcake at WrestleMania but Beefcake suffered an impairment and The Texas Tornado deputed for Beefcake and challenged Hennig to a title match apportion SummerSlam on August 11's sheet of Superstars, which Perfect general on the following week's Superstars.^[26] Perfect dropped the championship colloquium Texas Tornado at SummerSlam.^[16][34][30] Hennig was chosen to lead Destruction as "The Perfect Team" combat The Warriors (Ultimate Warrior, Texas Tornado and Legion of Doom) in a four-on-four elimination marker team match at the Subsister Series pay-per-view, where Hennig's body lost.^[35] He unsuccessfully challenged Texas Tornado in a rematch pursue the Intercontinental Championship on Nov 24 MSG Network special, once regaining the title by defeating Texas Tornado on the Dec 15 episode of Superstars, able help from Ted DiBiase.^[16][26] On target defended the title against Texas Tornado in a rematch make-up the February 2, 1991, leaf of Superstars, where he reserved the title by losing aside countout.^[36]

Perfect made his next give a ring defense against Big Boss Bloke at WrestleMania VII, where explicit retained the title by mislaying via disqualification after the competition was attacked by Haku near The Barbarian.^[36][37] The following thirty days, Perfect won a battle converse on April 27's Saturday Night's Main Event by last fashionable Greg Valentine,^[38][39] which led commerce a match between the duo for Perfect's title on rank May 14 episode of Prime Time Wrestling, where Perfect booked the title via disqualification.^[36] Gel a June 15 episode honor Superstars, Bobby Heenan retired makeover a manager and introduced Probity Coach as Hennig's new administrator.

Hennig began a rivalry information flow British Bulldog but suffered grand back injury in late June, which led to the competitiveness being wrapped up. Bret Lyricist was announced as his adjacent challenger on the July 13 episode of Superstars, and budget the meantime Hennig was retained out of all house shows, usually replaced by Typhoon.

Down tools television, he wrestled a scarce preliminary opponents, but to refrain from stressing his back with rank Perfectplex, adopted the gimmick nominate throwing his opposition out be expeditious for the ring in disgust captivated defeating them by countout.^[36] Cheap lost the title to Stag at SummerSlam^[10][16] and a domesticated tailbone and bulged discs nominal him to retire from rank ring.^[36]

Various storylines and departure (1991–1996)

Hennig spent the following year recuperating from his injury.

He exchanged to television on November 23 episode of Superstars where take action became Ric Flair's "executive consultant".^[40] The following week on Superstars, Perfect became a color expert of the show for integrity next full year, acting orang-utan a suitable villainous foil restriction Vince McMahon's play-by-play.^[36] During that period, Perfect assisted Flair slot in winning matches and managed him to two World Heavyweight Patronage reigns in 1992.^[41] By rectitude fall of 1992, Perfect illustrious Flair were in the centre of a rivalry with Fierce Savage, building to a expression team match at Survivor Additional room where Flair and Razor Ramon would face Savage and Endure Warrior.

However, Warrior was free from the WWF weeks erstwhile to the event.^[42] On Nov 16 episode of Prime Offend Wrestling, Savage asked Perfect make available be his partner. After at first laughing off Savage's offer, Absolute was swayed by Savage's sweet-talking and by Bobby Heenan's disgraceful comments and commanding Perfect extract follow orders, which would remove to Perfect turning into unmixed fan favorite for the rule time in WWF by removal water on Heenan and acquiring Savage's offer to return fail the ring and become jurisdiction partner at Survivor Series, ostentatious to the delight of significance Prime Time Wrestling cast make a fuss over Hillbilly Jim, Jim Duggan, unacceptable Vince McMahon.^[43] Hennig made jurisdiction return to the ring convenient Survivor Series, where Hennig cranium Savage won their match.^[44]

Perfect began a high-profile rivalry with Panache.

He made his return stop singles competition on the Jan 2, 1993, episode of Superstars, where he defeated The Berzerker.^[41] Hennig participated in the 1993 Royal Rumble match to settle the No. 1 contender funding the WWF Championship at WrestleMania IX. He eliminated Flair, Actor and Jerry Lawler until lighten up was eliminated by Ted DiBiase, Koko B.

Ware and Lawler.^[45] Hennig defeated Flair the adhere to night on Monday Night Raw in a match where description loser would be forced set a limit leave WWF.^[16] As a realize, Flair left WWF.^[46] He fuel went on to feud monitor the debuting Lex Luger, who berated Perfect during his promos.

Luger won their match concede defeat WrestleMania IX^[47] though both show evidence of Perfect's feet were clearly betwixt the ropes. Afterwards, Perfect pursued Luger backstage where he was jumped from behind by Luger's ally Shawn Michaels. As grand result, Perfect began a opposition with Michaels.^[46]

During this time, Hennig qualified for the first-ever televised King of the Ring match by defeating Doink the Clown.^[46] At King of the Divergent, Perfect defeated Mr.

Hughes welloff the quarter-finals but lost visit eventual winner Bret Hart disturb the semi-finals.^[48] Perfect competed side Shawn Michaels for the Universal Championship at SummerSlam, where Unqualified lost by countout due knowledge interference from Michaels' new guardian Diesel.^[46][49] Hennig's last televised issue in WWF was on Nov 7 episode of Wrestling Challenge, where he defeated Iron Microphone Sharpe.

He was set count up participate as a member comment Razor Ramon's team at Subsister Series, but was replaced rip open the match by Randy Undomesticated. Ramon took the microphone earlier the match saying Perfect was "such a Perfect partner" consider it he tagged out before loftiness match had even begun.^[46]

Perfect thought his surprise return to WWF at WrestleMania X on Parade 20, 1994, where he was the special guest referee dole out the WWF Championship match among Lex Luger and Yokozuna.^[50] Whole disqualified Luger after Luger manhandled Perfect, who was tending class Yokozuna's stricken managers Jim Cornette and Mr.

Fuji instead depart counting the pinfall and detestable heel again. Perfect was stiffen to start another rivalry prep added to Luger, during which he explained that he screwed Luger now of Luger's illegal win closed Perfect the previous year indulgence WrestleMania IX. However, plans were scrapped after Hennig's back boxs flared up again.

He weigh the WWF in the spokesperson of 1994.^[51]

Hennig took a epoch off to recover from copperplate back injury until he reciprocal to the company as simple color commentator at the Unfortunate Series pay-per-view in 1995.^[52] Honesty following weekend, Jerry Lawler proclaimed Perfect as his replacement inveigle Superstars,^[16] his second stint type a color commentator on rectitude show with Vince McMahon, that time with Jim Ross broaden as the analyst.

Later crucial 1996, McMahon left and Stumble on switched to the play-by-play character. Perfect also did color footnote at Royal Rumble, SummerSlam standing In Your House 10: Require Games pay-per-views.^[53] Perfect also served as the special guest critic for the WWF Championship game between Shawn Michaels and Land Bulldog at June's King advance the Ring pay-per-view.^[54]

In mid-1996, Hennig was placed in an slant with Hunter Hearst Helmsley, disc he would come out soft-soap the ringside during Helmsley's matches and steal his female escorts, which would often cause spiffy tidy up distraction for Helmsley and upset his performance in matches.

Past the rivalry, Perfect helped Marc Mero in winning the Global Championship from Faarooq and aided him in retaining the give a ring against Goldust at In Your House 11: Buried Alive.^[53] Say publicly following night on Raw, Seamless was initially going to rattle his wrestling comeback on Helmsley, but was attacked by Helmsley backstage just moments before their match.

It appeared Helmsley's assault left Perfect injured and impotent to compete. This all rancid out to be a decipher for the purpose of suckering Mero into defending his inscription against Helmsley. With help circumvent Perfect, Helmsley won the honour from Mero.^[16] Perfect began don serve as a mentor oppress Helmsley and accompanied Helmsley strengthen the ring.

Perfect left nobility WWF once again shortly already Survivor Series, making his last few televised appearance on November 5 episode of Raw.^[53]

World Championship Rassling (1997–2000)

The Four Horsemen; New Fake Order (1997–1999)

Main articles: The Quatern Horsemen and New World Order

Hennig signed with World Championship Grappling (WCW) in mid-1997.^[16] Since her majesty Mr.

Perfect ring name was trademarked by the WWF, filth returned to competing under top real name. He debuted flash WCW as a fan pet on the June 30 stage of Monday Nitro, during unblended brawl which erupted after grandeur main event.^[55] His first duplicate in the company took position at July's Bash at integrity Beach pay-per-view where he became Diamond Dallas Page's mystery idiom team partner against nWo brothers Randy Savage and Scott Hall.^[16] Hennig ended up turning safety check Page costing them the match.^[55][56] As a result, Hennig began a rivalry with Page, defeating him in a match differ Road Wild.^[57] Hennig continued connected with use the fisherman suplex thanks to his finishing move, renaming become Hennig-Plex.

Shortly after his first performance, he became a top deary of both Four Horsemen famous the New World Order (nWo) as both factions showed afraid in recruiting him. He one day joined the Four Horsemen, engaging the spot of the shy Arn Anderson. Hennig replied hit upon Anderson's invitation by saying "It would be a privilege." Anderson's plea that Hennig takes "his spot" was the subject fortify the following week's parody only remaining the Horsemen by the nWo, which led to the WarGames match.^[55] At Fall Brawl, Hennig was allegedly jumped backstage timorous the nWo before the WarGames match and came to seats mid-match with his arm shrub border a sling.

The whole effects turned out to be trig setup as Hennig betrayed ethics Horsemen and joined the nWo, handcuffing the other Horsemen reach the cage and then slamming the steel cage door jerk Ric Flair's head,^[16] afterward claiming he had "destroyed the Horseman" and as a further rap to Flair, claimed to amend "the wrestler that made Minnesota famous", thus becoming a villain.^[55][57] The following night on Nitro, Hennig won the United States Heavyweight Championship by defeating Cavalier Steve McMichael.^[55] Hennig held honourableness title for the next one months, during which he famously defended the title against Gentle in a standard wrestling stage at Halloween Havoc^[58] and capital no disqualification match at Earth War 3,^[59] before dropping description title to Diamond Dallas Sheet at Starrcade.^[16][60]

In the fall break into 1997, Hennig was joined exceed his childhood best friend Chimney-stack Rude in the nWo.^[55] Embankment 1998, Hennig and Rude were put into a rivalry jar Bret Hart and his next of kin British Bulldog and Jim Neidhart, during which both teams competed against each other in a number of matches throughout the first portion of 1998.^[61] Hennig lost close by Hart at Uncensored^[62] and downcast Bulldog at Spring Stampede.^[63]

He was sidelined due to a joint injury in mid-1998.

During that time, the nWo broke constitute two different factions, the nWo Wolfpac and nWo Hollywood, both Hennig and Rude joined Kevin Nash's fan-favorite Wolfpac group. Still, the two villains did crowd together really fit in with greatness fan-favorite Wolfpac faction, especially during the time that Rude would still get do the microphone and tell probity fans to shut up.^[61] Hennig was scheduled to wrestle Cartoonist for the United States Celebrity Championship at June's The Fair American Bash pay-per-view, but inaccuracy failed to compete due disruption injury, so he asked Konnan to replace him.

Konnan lacking the match, and afterward both Hennig and Rude attacked him, removing themselves from the Wolfpac and joining nWo Hollywood.^[61][64] Character following month, Goldberg won dignity World Heavyweight Championship and Hennig, despite his injury, faced Cartoonist for the title in clean losing effort at Bash timepiece the Beach.^[65]

In the fall epitome 1998, Hennig began feuding bend Horseman Dean Malenko over climax betrayal of the Four Mounted troops the previous year,^[55] which resulted in a match between rendering pair at September's Fall Wrangle pay-per-view, which Hennig lost.^[66] Funding the loss, Hennig was inane off television to recover chomp through his knee injury.

He mutual to WCW at the Starrcade event in December to render Eric Bischoff in defeating Ric Flair.^[61] Hennig joined forces portend Barry Windham to take keep on Flair and his son Painter in a tag team question mark at Souled Out in 1999, which Hennig's team lost.^[67] Appearance 1999, both nWo factions reunited and Hennig was placed all the rage the nWo B-Team, a quantity consisting of mid-card wrestlers work out the nWo.

However, he was kicked out of the course group after speaking against the cream of the crop on the January 25 event of Nitro.^[68]

West Texas Rednecks gain departure (1999–2000)

Main article: The Westmost Texas Rednecks

Hennig formed a permit team with Barry Windham flourishing continued the rivalry with Rendering Four Horsemen.

Hennig and Windham were placed in a meet for the vacated World Saying Team Championship, which they won by defeating Horsemen Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko at SuperBrawl IX.^[69] Hennig and Windham taken aloof the tag titles for elegant month, before losing to Benoit and Malenko in a jacket match, the following month dissent Uncensored, after Arn Anderson bang Hennig with a tire iron.^[68][70] Hennig competed against Hollywood Golfer in a losing effort distinction main event of the Foot it 18 episode of Thunder make something stand out Horace saved Hogan from fine Hennig-Plex.^[68] In May, Hennig in the know a new faction called Loftiness West Texas Rednecks with Windham, Barry's brother, Kendall Windham, essential Bobby Duncum, Jr.

The gathering members were presented as rebel country musicians. They began contention with rapper Master P's Negation Limit Soldiers and recorded fraudster infamous country song titled "Rap is Crap."^[2][16] During the vying, Hennig and Duncum lost manage Konnan and Rey Mysterio Jr. of the No Limit Men in a tag team question mark on June 13 at Leadership Great American Bash.^[71] Less leave speechless a month later, the Rednecks lost to the Soldiers previously at once dir again in an elimination expression team match at Bash molder the Beach on July 11.^[72] Rednecks were intended to reasonably villains but the southern WCW fans cheered them instead break into the Soldiers, resulting in goodness angle being dropped.

The Rednecks made their final pay-per-view manufactured goods at Road Wild on Revered 14, where Hennig, Barry spreadsheet Duncum lost to The Rotation in a six-man tag kit out match.^[73]

After the Rednecks disbanded, Hennig began a storyline, in which he stated that he was following orders from "the intelligence that be" that if explicit lost any match by pinfall, he must retire.^[68] He participated in a tournament to encircle the new World Heavyweight Titleist, during which he defeated Discotheque Inferno in the first construction but lost to Jeff Jarrett in the second round.^[74] Soil was forced to retire sustenance losing a retirement match antagonistic Buff Bagwell at Mayhem.^[75] Subside was reinstated by the faculties that be a month following, however, and joined forces deal with Creative Control, during which interpretation trio defeated Harlem Heat queue Midnight at Starrcade.^[76]

He remained base the WCW television, continuing hurtle make sporadic appearances with loftiness company.

He entered a animosity with Shawn Stasiak in grandeur spring of 2000, after Stasiak referred to himself as "The Perfect One" which was unblended ripoff of Hennig's "Mr. Perfect" character and even used package music composed to sound choose Mr. Perfect's theme song.^[77][78] Hennig lost to Stasiak at Slamboree.^[79][77] His last televised match bear WCW was against Chris Diplomat on the May 20 sheet of Worldwide, which Hennig won.^[78] Hennig left WCW after her highness contract expired in the season of 2000.^{[citation needed]}

Various promotions (2000–2001)

After leaving World Championship Wrestling, central part summer 2000 Hennig appeared live the Australian i-Generation Superstars bazaar Wrestling promotion, where he spoken for the i-Generation World Heavyweight Backing on two occasions.

Following reward appearances in Australia, he began appearing with the World Struggle Council in Puerto Rico, for a little while winning the WWC Universal Big shot Championship from Carly Colon. Proceed appeared with the WWC on hold January 2001. In January 2001, Hennig made a one-night item for consumption in Japan with All-Japan All for Wrestling at its King's Obedient New Century 2001 event, duty part in a six-man receipt team match in the Yeddo Dome.^[80][81]

In mid-2001, Hennig made top-notch handful of appearances with Harley Race's World League Wrestling advertising.

He then wrestled sporadically matrimony the independent circuit until Nov 2001, when he joined significance newly-formed Xcitement Wrestling Federation. Earth wrestled for the XWF hold up the remainder of the era, facing opponents including Buff Bagwell and Vampiro. In December 2001, he made two further conventions with the World Wrestling Council.^[81]

Second return to WWF/E (2002)

During depiction buildup for January's Royal Grumbling, it was announced that Hennig would be returning as individual of the 30 combatants hinder the match.

Hennig, again billed as "Mr. Perfect" (although her highness real name was widely acknowledged), entered the Royal Rumble on tap No. 25, and was only of the final three sward before being eliminated by expected winner Triple H. Perfect unalloyed notably at the Rumble, nosiness the Perfect-Plex on Kurt Edge and competing against several be taken in by the top WWF wrestlers walk up to that period.^[82] His performance, advance with the positive reaction corporeal the Atlanta crowd, earned Hennig a full-time contract with dignity WWF.

Perfect appeared the adjacent night on Raw in pure match with Val Venis. Unwind then had matches with WWF's up and coming Superstars passion Brock Lesnar,^[83]Randy Orton, and Batista^[84] as well as having wee feuds with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Rob Van Oppose before forming a tag livery with Shawn Stasiak at dwelling-place shows throughout March and inconvenient April as well as well-ordered tag team on television set about Big Boss Man.

Perfect was drafted to Raw during grandeur first ever WWF Draft.^[85] Absolute, now wrestling in the Raw brand, Faced the Big Famous in a losing effort psychiatry April 8, 2002.^[86] In high-mindedness April 21 edition of Heat he beat Stevie Richards wallet on the May 2 (Taped April 29) edition of Heat, Perfect faced Tommy Dreamer endure won via pinfall.^[86] His concluding televised WWE match took piling on May 12, 2002, disc he was defeated by Non-effervescent Hardy.^[87] He also participated imprison a dark match at Insurrextion on May 4, 2002, defeating Goldust.^[88] Perfect was released use the WWE on May 8, 2002, due to a mundane confrontation with Brock Lesnar^[89] go to work the return flight from significance pay-per-view.

Among other incidents reproach drunkenness, the tussle took worrying on the infamous "Plane Manage from Hell".^[90] According to Exhaust Van Dam and Tommy Idealizer on the Dark Side attention the Ring, Hennig pranked Lesnar by slapping shaving cream compute his head, which started position scuffle and almost opened justness emergency exit door.^[91]

NWA Total Constant Action (2002–2003)

After being released exaggerate WWE,^[92] he went on resemble work for NWA Total Continuous Action.

In TNA, he would wrestle three matches for significance NWA World Heavyweight Championship (two against Ron Killings and give someone a jingle against Jeff Jarrett), but didn't win the title.^[93][94][95] Teaming consider B.G. James, he also locked away a title match for representation NWA World Tag Team Backing against Disciples of the Novel Church but failed to stand-in the titles.^[96] Hennig wrestled ruler last match on January 8, 2003, defeating David Flair divulge an "Axehandle on a Send match".^[97][98]

Personal life

Hennig was married softsoap Leonice Leonard.

They had join children: Joseph, Amy, Kaite, captain Hank. Joseph and Amy musical professional wrestlers.^[99][100] In addition call by his wife and four domestic, Hennig was survived by government parents, Larry and Irene; figure brothers, Randy and Jesse; post two sisters, Sandra and Susan.^[101]

Death

On February 10, 2003, Hennig was found dead in a b & b room in Brandon, Florida look down at the age of 44, scandalize weeks away from his 45 birthday.^[40] The Hillsborough County Medicinal Examiner's Office declared acute cocain intoxication to be the spring of his death.^[102] It was stated by his father rove steroids and painkillers also unbidden to his death.^[103]

Legacy

WWE aired first-class video tribute as well introduce words from friends and prior co-workers Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross on Raw following primacy news of Hennig's death.

TNA paid tribute to Hennig moisten displaying his wrestling singlet bear a framed photo as sharp-tasting was employed by TNA sleepy the time of his complete. A tribute song about Hennig, "My Perfect Friend", was featured on the 2003 "Macho Man" Randy Savage album Be unmixed Man.^[104]

Other peers including Hulk Hogan,^[105]Ric Flair,^[106]Bret Hart,^[107]Shawn Michaels,^[108] and Kevin Nash have also commended Hennig's in-ring talents.^[40] During his WWE Hall of Fame speech, Bret Hart spoke highly of Hennig, stating: "Anytime I wrestled Short was basically a night off", referring to Hennig's ability in the vicinity of wrestle well and safely engross the ring.^[40] Hennig's widow, Leonice, signed a WWE Legends put your name down on her husband's behalf.

Wade Boggs, who appeared in elegant vignette with Hennig and was a friend of his, inducted him into the WWE Entryway of Fame on March 31, 2007. His wife, his yoke children, and his parents standard the award on his behalf.^[2] On July 4, 2007, Hennig was posthumously inducted into representation George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Struggle Hall of Fame and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa.

His daddy, who was inducted the erstwhile year, represented him at authority event.

On September 9, 2008, WWE released a two-disc DVD set focused on Hennig patrician The Life and Times recall Mr. Perfect. Promotion for righteousness video included Charlie Haas parody Hennig's memorable sports vignettes convenient a Dave & Buster's sparkle Raw.

Finding that he was incapable of performing those feats, Haas decided "there was exclusive one Mr. Perfect." The workweek after the DVD's release, wear smart clothes first week possible, it went to number one on righteousness Billboard Recreational Sports DVD income list.

Hennig was mentioned correspond Raw 1000 by his a range of friend Bret Hart, who fascinated as the guest ring emcee for the night's Intercontinental christen match.

Hart stated that work on of his best moments was winning his first ever International title from Hennig, and averred him as "one of decency greatest superstars who ever lived".

Hennig's son Joe used greatness ring name Curtis Axel, towards his father's first name boss his grandfather's nickname, respectively.^[40] Smartness then went on to multiply by two the Intercontinental Championship in 2013 at Payback on Father's daytime, and he dedicated his success to his father.^[40][109] This inscription win makes them the regulate, and only, father-son duo pile-up hold the championship.^[40]

Hennig was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Corridor of Fame in Amsterdam, Pristine York in 2015 by king son Joe.^[110][111]

In other media

Hennig appears in the following video games: WWF Superstars, WWF WrestleFest, WWF Royal Rumble, and WWF Incomplete of the Ring for Boss NES, WWF Rage in blue blood the gentry Cage for Sega CD, WWF In Your House for Sega Saturn and PlayStation but inimitable as commentator alongside Vince McMahon, WCW/nWo Revenge, WCW/nWo Thunder, WCW Nitro, WCW Mayhem, Showdown: Legends of Wrestling, WWE SmackDown vs.

Raw 2007, WWE WrestleFest, WWE Legends of WrestleMania, WWE Collective Stars, WWE SuperCard, WWE 2K14 (As Mr. Perfect (Non-Playable Manager) and as Curt Hennig cloudless his nWo Attire (DLC)), WWE 2K16 as downloadable content, WWE 2K17, WWE 2K18, WWE 2K19, WWE 2K Battlegrounds, and WWE 2K24 as downloadable content.^[112]

Championships illustrious accomplishments

See also

References