Another good match was when he was the sole survior in his match at Survivor Series 1989. He pinned a Bushwhacker and Jimmy Snuka, and he was clearly the best wrestler in that match.
He threw a great dropkick. I also liked him as a heel commentator.
My favorite moment, oddly enough, involves Helmsley. I think it was either 95 or 96 when he was just comming back from an injury and was starting a feud with Helmsley. Just before a match, Helmsley 'injures' Hennig and Curt gets Marc Mero to take his place and put up the IC title against Helmsley... Yep, it was a swerve, good acting on Curts part cause I couldn't believe at the time that I didn't see it comming.
The man made a great heel and was a great wrestler. I remember at last years WM when he got an amazing pop in the dark match..simply amazing. His initial come back to WWE last year was sweet, alas that didn't last long. I will always remember that great heel from his prime though.
Mr. Perfect, I give you a gum-swat salute. Rest In Peace, sir.
Steve Jackson! Games! Sluggy.com! Games! Phil Foglio! And err..Games!
Really depressing news items like this makes me really question my long devotion to this nonsense.
I'll admit that I watched wrestling for many years not for the technical workrate but for the bizarre Wrestlecrap characters. The highlights of sitting through all the jobber squashes during Superstars or Wrestling Challenge was when they'd show those odd vignettes for wrestlers getting set to debut. I bring this up because, while his introductory videos are now legendary (the hole-in one, the darts bullseye, and the second later editions with a home run derby with Wade Boggs), he never really struck me as a fascinating character. It's only in recent years, having seen enough bad wrestling and angles to make me truly appreciate when it's quality, that I realized what a great performer and athlete Curt was. And how his odd fit to early 90's WWF was actually a GOOD thing.
Many of his finer moments have already been mentioned. The promo videos. His legendary IC title match with Bret which I need to download off Grokster and see sometime when I free up some hard drive space on this hunk o'junk. The match on the second-ever episode of Raw (if I recall correctly) where he booted Flair out of the company. At 8 years, they may have been the longest one of those stipulations ever held up. Him actually turning on the legendary Horsemen to join up with the upstart heel NWO. Or his transformation from a Minnesota resident to a West Texas Redneck. Remember how those guys were infinitely more likeable than their adversaries, Master P and the No Limit Soldiers? And I should look for a copy of 'Rap Is Crap' on Grokster too. Or how about his sudden face turn for that Survivor Series tag match when Ultimate Warrior took a powder? And I'm sure there's other good stuff I've forgotten.
So enjoy heaven Curt. Just don't try to toss anybody off any clouds, m'kay?
Most people are like Slinkys; they're utterly worthless except for the giddy joy they give you when you see one tumble down a flight of stairs
God Bless, Curt. You'll be sorely missed. Unfortunately, you'll be joining way too many brothers who've left us as well. If there is wrestling in Heaven, you and Rick will make an incredible tag team!
Jack
Jack
"Why Johnny Ringo, you look like someone just walked over your grave."
Feel like I've been punched in the stomach. My favorite wrestler of all time honestly, dead at 44.....and really the one that got me watching and kept me watching. I'll never see the Perfect comeback I was stoked for at the Rumble.
Rest in peace, Curt.....
Anybody can kick people's asses. But it takes a true monster to kick people's asses AND breastfeed at the same time - Excalibur05
I wasn't expecting to read this today. It's sad to see him go. He was always entertaining, even with bad gimmicks (West Texas Rednecks).
I remember the stand out moment for me at last year's Royal Rumble was when Mr. Perfect got into the ring and proceeded to get double teamed in the corner by Austin and somebody else. In the middle of being pummeled he still took the time to spit out is gum and swipe it out of the air. Now that was bad ass!
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence, or insanity to anyone, but they've always worked for me." - Hunter S. Thompson
Originally posted by EradicatorHis Summerslam '91 match with Bret Hart remains my favorite match of all time to this day.
I was 2nd row ringside at a show during the ensuing house show tour featuring that match. That was one of the more memorable matches I've seen. They both went crashing into the ring steps right in front of me. I still think about that match from time to time.
Curt was on an AWA card at our county fair and I sold him a used cassette at the record store I worked at. Aside from giving him the total and saying "Thanks", that was the beginning and the end of that.
His theme song has been running through my head ever since I heard about it. I always liked his work. He had a great persona in a time when Vince was bringing stuff like Doink to the table.
I'll miss him.
this post brought to you by the wholesome goodness of deep fried clam strips
At a younger age, I picked up the gum swatting technique to emulate him. I've done it for so long, now, its just one of my habits. Its not often someone that effects your daily life, even in the smallest of ways, passes. Until another day, Curt. Peace be with you.
Saw him at London at Insurrextion. His last WWE match. Big time fan of his. Hoped the WWE would have made more of his recent run but was a glorified jobber. Not the way to treat a legend.
How many more will die for the sake of sports entertainment? And why do I fear that another tragedy is around the corner?
Anyway Curt, this one's for you.... Nobody beats Mr Perfect... Nobody!
Originally posted by Jason K. H.At a younger age, I picked up the gum swatting technique to emulate him. I've done it for so long, now, its just one of my habits.
Seriously, though...how many of us do the gum swat? I know I've been doing it for years and years.
Perfect and the Bulldog in under a year...damn.
Matthew Good - Playing Calgary March 24th AND 25th. Be there.
I know he had his battles with the bottle but wow, this is just really sad. I mean, wow. I don't know what to say but thank you, Curt for the memories.
I've been doing the gum swat and the "throw the towel behind your back and catch it" since the first time I saw Mr. Perfect. Curt Hennig you will be missed.
I'd just like to add my name to the list of those who are incredibly floored by this sad news. I thought he had one more WWE run in him. Hennig will go down truly as one of the all-time greats. Not many people could out-sell that guy. My favorite memories, like others, involves his videos of being just "perfect". Kudos, my man. And RIP.
We ended last week on a cliffhanger, but we'll have to wait until later in the show to get it resolved (spoiler: it gets resolved exactly how you would have expected it to).