Just because he never won the WWF or WCW World Championships doesn't nullify his status as a former World Champion. Sure, the AWA was not at the same level it once was in days past when Hennig won the World Title, but just the same he is still a former World Champion. Let's not be so selective and biased that we won't recognize the storylines and angles of defunct organizations, especially one that had the track record of the AWA. Because they did have a cable deal with ESPN back during Hennig's reign, therefore they were a regular fixture on television. Even though the best days were behind the organization as a whole.
I wasnt really judging based on AWA because he wasnt "Mr.Perfect" back then. I was judging his wwf/e wcw career. He only got the AWA belt because his father was a big shot. Look around the world of movies and sports and in the "2nd generation and 3rd generation wrestlers obessed business that is sports entertainment.
I'd say that the behind the scenes conjecture belongs nowhere in this thread, yes I know the character "Mr. Perfect" was a far cry from who Curt Hennig actually was. But then again, let's not forget Steve Austin has gone to court for domestic abuse and has been found guilty of said crimes, Hulk Hogan has been caught on camera having sex with another man's wife, Chris Benoit went and offed himself and his family. And that's just wrestling we're talking about, let's not forget that other athletes that participate in sports vice sports entertainment/pro wrestling have had their controversies. For example, Mike Tyson, convicted rapist, and of course Lawrence Taylor known just as much for his drug fixation as opposed to his accomplished time on the gridiron. Bottom line is this, the rational thinking fans who just want to be entertained have the intelligence to know that Curt Hennig was far from perfect, but I would like to hope that people who grew up watching Mr. Perfect and are adults now would have the sense to know such. That doesn't take anything away from his place in wrestling history.
You make a good point that many famous performers are messed up people from the fame or whatever. But I do have the right to judge Curt on his lifestyle becaue it did matter,. It killed him. Hogan is still alive. LT is alive. Tyson is alive. Austin is alive. Benoit is a outlier in some ways. He went above the line. Bottom line Curt died at like 43 from it.
I have to disagree, I know Perfect had his formula. But c'mon who didn't? Hogan=bodyslams, backrakes, the occasional suplex, clothesline, a kick to the face and a legdrop. Pretty formulaic, if I said so, showy/flashy, very. Bret Hart, he had a formula too, the russian legsweep, European uppercuts, elbow from the second rope. Now while I will concede he was very versatile and didn't end every match with the Sharpshooter, he was pretty relegated to a formula as well. Hennig could have been in that role had he stayed healthier and didn't have the personal demons he had. Just an opinion, and while I will admit that I'm not in agreement with your statement regarding Vince's not putting the title on Hennig, I will admit you present a good argument. Although I still find your dismissal of his AWA World Title reign very glaring.
Another good point in that HBK also did the same stuff in his matches. They all have a pattern of moves they stick by. Its just that Hennig oversold very badly on his pattern of moves. Maybe he didnt do it the whole match. He did have a flashy style, maybe im nit picking but im just using it as an example. I stand by my point that he looked fake doing that tho.
He had a strong start in WCW, and yes I will admit the West Texas Rednecks was a far cry from his best days. But prior to that he was involved in the nWo storyline, had a decent mini-feud with Goldberg for the World Title. He even rekindled his rivalry briefly with Bret Hart, his union with Rick Rude was some good stuff too. Granted I would have liked to see him add the World Title to his US and World Tag Title victories. But what can you do? I don't think he got as lost in the shuffle as you think.
And yes I do concede he was far from perfect, but at this point in my life, I have learned to separate persona from real life. Sometimes, easier said than done, but by doing that I can still appreciate and enjoy what he did.
