Curt Hennig Stories From In And Out Of The Ring

2) Scott Hall’s Emotional Tribute To His Mentor & Friend, Curt Hennig

Scott Hall was mentored in his early wrestling years by Hennig. The two of them tagged together in the AWA back in the 80’s. Hall has had nothing but amazing things to say about Curt and cites him as the biggest influence in his wrestling career.

Hall recalls tagging with Curt, where he would do all of the work and make Hall look like a million bucks (hear the full tribute on pandemoniumradio.com)

“Curt did ALL the work. Curt did everything…then he’d tag me, I’d make the comeback, I’d pin the guy. It got to the point where it was so ridiculous that uneducated fans would go, ‘Hey Hall…get rid of Hennig, man! Get a new partner – he’s holding you down’………They had no idea I’d be lost without him.”

Hall on one of Curt Hennig and his world-famous practical jokes:

“Curt was the world-class ribber. When we first crossed paths in Minneapolis during the weekdays, we’d wrestle at little high schools. So we’d change in the locker rooms and Curt would walk around and pull on all the combination locks until he found one that wasn’t locked all the way. He’d have about three or four locks in his bag and he would take two guys’ wrestling bags and suitcases and lock the handles together and call them ‘buddy bags.’ He did this, particularly to two guys who don’t like each other so they’re forced for the rest of the loop to walk through the airport together with ‘buddy bags.’

He would put it on the hood ornament of your car and call it the ‘Teakettle Effect.’ While you’re driving down the road, it’d rock back and forth against your paint job. He’d take a padlock and put it through the button-hole of your brand new designer shirt or on the little loop of your cowboy boots where you pull them up, you know. He’d put it through the belt loop of your new designer jeans so you’d have to cut the loop. He was funny like that. He would always look for the opportunity to have a laugh.”

On how much Curt meant to him and the wrestling business:

“God I miss you Curt. You impacted this business like nobody else has. You made me better, you made Shawn Michaels better – everybody who crossed paths with you got better. Thank you for everything you taught me, Curt.”

1) Curtis Axel On His Dad, Curt Hennig

Curtis Axel is the son of Curt Hennig. His ring name is a combination of his dad’s and his Grandfather: Larry ‘the Axe’ Hennig.

Axel spoke about his father’s legacy in an interview with Sports Illustrated. Here is how Axel thinks that his dad is remembered in the wrestling business:

“My father’s legacy will forever be sketched in history as one of the greatest performers in not only the WWE, but also the whole world. He is in the WWE Hall of Fame- He could not only talk the talk, but he could walk the walk through his look, athletic ability, and attitude. He had more love for this business than anyone. Even though he’s gone from the world of wrestling, he’ll never be forgotten. People will talk about Mr. Perfect for hundreds of years, and, as for me, his legacy continues as a mentor, teacher and someone I could go to, whether it was good or bad”

On their personal relationship:

READ NEXT: Stories About Becky Lynch’s Fascinating Journey To WWE

“He was my hero, my best friend and the best goddamn dad a son could ask for. I continue to miss him every day of my life. On a final note, when you watch me on Smackdown or watch me on Raw as Curtis Axel–a name that’s combined together to represent both my grandfather and my father, know this: my dad, ‘Mr. Perfect’ Curt Hennig, lives with me every day of my life. He’s driving me, not only in the ring, but also out of it. And he truly was perfect.”

Some awesome tributes from those that knew him best. Thank you for reading and make sure to share this article if you can!

Let us know your favorite Mr. Perfect match in the comment section below! Do you have any good Curt Hennig stories? 

Sources:

• Sports Illustrated
• WrestlingInc.com
• JRSBARBQ.com
• WrestleFix.com
• Pandemonium Radio
• 2003 interview by Phil Speer
• Calgary Sun