RavingRendal
Trap-Jaw
We will teach you the true meaning of Democracy.
Posts: 453
|
Post by RavingRendal on Dec 24, 2006 17:18:29 GMT -5
|
|
MoleMan
Team Rocket
KENNY!
Posts: 812
|
Post by MoleMan on Dec 24, 2006 17:24:10 GMT -5
They did have a fued for the belt. I heard they were considerung putting the belt on Hennig. Course Hogan didn't like the idea.
|
|
|
Post by Andrew is Good on Dec 24, 2006 17:24:48 GMT -5
That was a hell of a promo from Hennig.
As a matter of fact, that promo was Perfect.
|
|
The OP
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
changed his name
Posts: 15,785
|
Post by The OP on Dec 24, 2006 18:52:28 GMT -5
Mr. Perfect ruled. Like many fans, I would've really liked to see Perfect get a run with the big belt, but at least he had a couple of nice IC title reigns and went over legends like Tito Santana and Kerry Von Erich. He was always portrayed as a threat, and rightly so. Truly a great all-around performer. It's always nice to see some of his work.
|
|
|
Post by OGBoardPoster2005 on Dec 24, 2006 20:27:40 GMT -5
In all honesty NOT having Perfect/Hogan at WM VI was a good move because Hogan/Warrior was a HUGE draw
|
|
Mitch 4:20
Don Corleone
The Cherry One
Posts: 2,062
|
Post by Mitch 4:20 on Dec 25, 2006 20:10:51 GMT -5
I never saw Mr Prefect outside something in the past few years where he made a Rumble return, but I think I could have been a fan had I gotten the chance...
|
|
|
Post by Hemmeorrhage on Dec 26, 2006 3:48:44 GMT -5
When you think about injuries and their effect on a wrestler's career, you have to think Curt Hennig. Talk about bad timing with his injuries.. The WWF always seem to have Perfect sitting right on the cusp of being the man. Remember, in the early nineties, Hogan was inconsistent due to movies etc. and the Warrior was a revolving door. The WWF seemed to have their minds set on Bret Hart or Hennig to get the torch. Both men were always close to the top of the card if not at the top for short periods of time. Flair came in at what might be considered the strongest roster in the history of the WWF. You had Hogan,Warrior, Piper, Flair, Sid, Undertaker, Bret Hart, Jake Roberts, HBK coming into his own etc. The great roster seemed to fall apart overnight. Flair went back to WCW. Hogan ratted on Mcmahon at the steroid trial while Sid ironically was fired for using roids. Warrior fired again. Hennig would have been in a perfect position to grab the torch if........he had not spent the majority of the previous couple of years as Ric Flair's consultant due to an injury. He didn't have enough momentum so they basically put the company on the shoulder of Bret Hart, Yokozuna, and for whatever reason Lex Luger. Mcmahon gave Hennig a rub by allowing him to be the man that sent Ric Flair packing in a loser leaves WWF match. The only problem with that rub was that it was horribly booked. For whatever reason Perfect turned face with no prior reasoning or build-up whatsoever on an episode of Superstars or whatever that show where Hillbilly Jim, Mcmahon, Heenan Etc. would sit at a table and comment on pre-taped matches. The following week was the big match that in no way had the atmosphere that a Flair-Hennig loser leaves WWF match should have. That is a ppv main event/semi main event attraction. However, back then Mcmahon would not dedicate airtime to wrestlers that he knew would be leaving soon so they did the angle quick. Apparently Mcmahon had a hand shake deal with Flair that allowed him to return to WCW anytime he wanted. I am sure if Mcmahon would have pressed Flair, Ric would have agreed to stay until the next ppv. Anyway, Hennig had no real momentum going into passing the torch time. Hennig hung around the middle of the card until another injury sidelined him and he basically retired. He did the commentator/manager thing until his contract expired and he went to WCW. This is around the time that the Kliq started to have some major influence in the companies booking decisions. Its unfortunate that he was in the WWF during some major shifts in power, but was injured when they happened. The end result is a guy who is remembered very fondly by smarks, but forgotten by the casual fan. People always argue about wrestlers who could of have been a legend if properly booked, not buried etc. I believe Hennig needs to be the name at the top of the list of potential "legends".
Also, any wrestler that was ever a major player has been debated. Hogan lovers/haters. Bret hart and Hbk seem to have no gray area. Its either love or hate. Lex Luger, well, its anonymous he sucked. I have never seen a Curt Henig detractor on this board and that is saying something.
|
|
|
Post by skskillz on Dec 26, 2006 11:31:28 GMT -5
They did have a fued for the belt. I heard they were considerung putting the belt on Hennig. Course Hogan didn't like the idea. They were considering putting the belt on Hennig? Good grief. I know people here overrate dead wrestlers and/or wrestlers with "talent", but give me a break. Hennig was in a mini-feud with Hogan in late-1989, and that was a springboard for Hennig to go into a long IC title run in 1990. That's it. Warrior was the merchandise machine at the time and they were grooming him to be the next big top face, as he main evented with Andre around the country as well as getting the last match at Survivor Series 1989 (usually reserved for Hogan at that time). That was the plan all along, as the WWE and Warrior himself have confirmed. It was a good feud to get Hennig some main event exposure, and it certainly helped him get over as a heel, but don't rewrite history. The last heel to be World Champion (after the Hulkamania period began) before Slaughter in 1991 was Andre in the ref screwjob (which lasted, what, 1 day?) and Savage for 2 months heading into WM V when he turned at the end of his run. If you think they were going to push Hennig into that spot, you're out of your mind. They didn't even make him a main eventer when everyone and their mother left the company in late-1992/1993. Hennig was great, but let's be realistic here.
|
|
Johnny Danger (Godz)
Wade Wilson
loves him some cavity searches
Lord Xeen's going to kill you.
Posts: 27,736
|
Post by Johnny Danger (Godz) on Dec 26, 2006 11:33:53 GMT -5
Well, who says he COULDN'T have main evented in 1993-1994 if his back hadn't screwed up again? I agree that he shouldn't have been champ in the 80's (And I'm a HUGE mark for him and always have been) but he should've achieved far more than he did.
|
|
hollywood
King Koopa
the bullet dodger
The Green Arrow has approved this post.
Posts: 11,122
|
Post by hollywood on Dec 26, 2006 11:45:43 GMT -5
It's hard to picture Perfect as a World Champ, but I would've marked out like crazy if he'd pulled some fluke upset and got the belt shortly after his Royal Rumble return.
|
|
|
Post by skskillz on Dec 26, 2006 11:53:43 GMT -5
Well, who says he COULDN'T have main evented in 1993-1994 if his back hadn't screwed up again? I agree that he shouldn't have been champ in the 80's (And I'm a HUGE mark for him and always have been) but he should've achieved far more than he did. Hennig (kayfabe) retired Flair from the WWF, but then went on to a mid-card feud with Lex Luger (which he lost), a KOTR loss to Bret Hart, and a disappointing IC title feud with Shawn Michaels. He was always pushed behind Bret, Yokozuna, etc, around that time. Once Luger, Shawn, Razor, Diesel, etc, started getting popular, Hennig had no shot. The WWF was going for the "New Generation" concept and effectively eliminated the pushes of many, if not all, of the mainstays from the '80's. Just my personal opinion here, but I don't get the impression that the WWF ever viewed Hennig as a main event player, much less a world champion.
|
|
hollywood
King Koopa
the bullet dodger
The Green Arrow has approved this post.
Posts: 11,122
|
Post by hollywood on Dec 26, 2006 12:03:11 GMT -5
Just my personal opinion here, but I don't get the impression that the WWF ever viewed Hennig as a main event player, much less a world champion. You're probably right, but it still would've been fun.
|
|
Johnny Danger (Godz)
Wade Wilson
loves him some cavity searches
Lord Xeen's going to kill you.
Posts: 27,736
|
Post by Johnny Danger (Godz) on Dec 26, 2006 12:16:26 GMT -5
Well, who says he COULDN'T have main evented in 1993-1994 if his back hadn't screwed up again? I agree that he shouldn't have been champ in the 80's (And I'm a HUGE mark for him and always have been) but he should've achieved far more than he did. Hennig (kayfabe) retired Flair from the WWF, but then went on to a mid-card feud with Lex Luger (which he lost), a KOTR loss to Bret Hart, and a disappointing IC title feud with Shawn Michaels. He was always pushed behind Bret, Yokozuna, etc, around that time. Once Luger, Shawn, Razor, Diesel, etc, started getting popular, Hennig had no shot. The WWF was going for the "New Generation" concept and effectively eliminated the pushes of many, if not all, of the mainstays from the '80's. Just my personal opinion here, but I don't get the impression that the WWF ever viewed Hennig as a main event player, much less a world champion. Oh I'm sure they didnt ever seriously consider putting the belt ON him, just saying I view him along guys like DiBiase and Roberts who SHOULD have had a reign. And am I the only one who found the "new generation" so cliched, when their main draws were: Two former tag team guys from the 80's (Bret and Shawn) A couple of jobbers from WCW (Nash and Hall) The Undertaker (Been around since 91 in WWF) and......freakin Randy Savage? (Awesome talent, no doubt, but nothing new about him) And, yes, Perfect's feuds with Luger and Shawn were dissapointing. I always hoped Perfect would finally get revenge on Luger after screwing him against Yoko as a ref, but, ah well
|
|
|
Post by skskillz on Dec 27, 2006 9:27:22 GMT -5
Oh I'm sure they didnt ever seriously consider putting the belt ON him, just saying I view him along guys like DiBiase and Roberts who SHOULD have had a reign. Well, if you believe the WrestleMania IV urban legend, then Dibiase would of gotten a title run if it wasn't for Honky Tonk Man. Roberts didn't need a title, and I honestly can't even picture him with one. Seriously, try to picture Jake with a belt on his shoulder. It just looks odd. Personally, I think the fact that these guys didn't get a WWF title reign but are still remembered fondly today says more about their legacy than anything else. Nowadays, "good looking guys" are destined to become champs within 2 months of their debut. It's sad.
|
|
ICBM
King Koopa
Didn't know we did status updates here now
Posts: 12,288
|
Post by ICBM on Dec 27, 2006 10:16:03 GMT -5
What urban legend?
Henning had a strong run as AWA champ that enabled him to get a spot in WWF. They pushed him to the moon but never did put the strap on him. He is another in the long list of talent tha should have been world champion.
Hall Henning Rude Kane (1 day dosn't count) Jake (deserved at least one and could've carried it as a heel) Piper (The fact that he is on this list is a sham) Andre Debiase (Really really really deserved it and a Flair Debiase program would have been huge) Barry Windham Jerry Lawler (He held every belt in wrestling except the WWF and NWA) and Finally 1,2,3Kid...ok not really that one but he was ok
|
|
gimmieabreakbrain
Samurai Cop
I love garden implements. Wanna make something of it??
Posts: 2,181
|
Post by gimmieabreakbrain on Dec 27, 2006 10:16:20 GMT -5
I would have much rather seen Henning get a run with the WCW title. He could have had some good matches with Jarrett over the belt. It would have fit more in the WCW style than the WWFs.
|
|
|
Post by skskillz on Dec 27, 2006 10:28:02 GMT -5
Apparently, Dibiase was supposed to win the title at WrestleMania IV and Savage was supposed to beat Honky for the IC title. However, Honky refused to drop the strap to Savage, and to avoid a big mess with Randy, the WWF decided to have Savage win the world title instead of Dibiase. I don't know if that has been confirmed by anyone involved (Dibiase would probably be the only one to bring it up again since he got screwed the worst out of it).
|
|
Johnny Danger (Godz)
Wade Wilson
loves him some cavity searches
Lord Xeen's going to kill you.
Posts: 27,736
|
Post by Johnny Danger (Godz) on Dec 27, 2006 10:35:06 GMT -5
Apparently, Dibiase was supposed to win the title at WrestleMania IV and Savage was supposed to beat Honky for the IC title. However, Honky refused to drop the strap to Savage, and to avoid a big mess with Randy, the WWF decided to have Savage win the world title instead of Dibiase. I don't know if that has been confirmed by anyone involved (Dibiase would probably be the only one to bring it up again since he got screwed the worst out of it). If you believe all those stories, the IC title picture was a huge mess back then anyway, as (I THINK, someone correct me if I'm wrong here) Steamboat was supposed to be the IC champ, but because he wanted some time off with his family that was previously promised to him, Vince was like SCREW YOU and gave the title to Honky instead as a knock on Steamboat. Then you had Beefcake supposed to beat Honky but it was Warrior instead.....
|
|
gimmieabreakbrain
Samurai Cop
I love garden implements. Wanna make something of it??
Posts: 2,181
|
Post by gimmieabreakbrain on Dec 27, 2006 10:37:05 GMT -5
I really can't see Honky Tonk Man having ANY say back then who he should drop the belt to. I think the reason they gave Savage the belt was so Hulk could leave for a while and shoot his "No Holds Barred" movie. Savage already had a run with the IC title and he was in line for the World Title run. And after mania they gave Dibiase his "Million Dollar title belt" which I think worked better for him.
|
|
|
Post by Hemmeorrhage on Dec 29, 2006 2:39:13 GMT -5
They did have a fued for the belt. I heard they were considerung putting the belt on Hennig. Course Hogan didn't like the idea. They were considering putting the belt on Hennig? Good grief. I know people here overrate dead wrestlers and/or wrestlers with "talent", but give me a break. Hennig was in a mini-feud with Hogan in late-1989, and that was a springboard for Hennig to go into a long IC title run in 1990. That's it. Warrior was the merchandise machine at the time and they were grooming him to be the next big top face, as he main evented with Andre around the country as well as getting the last match at Survivor Series 1989 (usually reserved for Hogan at that time). That was the plan all along, as the WWE and Warrior himself have confirmed. It was a good feud to get Hennig some main event exposure, and it certainly helped him get over as a heel, but don't rewrite history. The last heel to be World Champion (after the Hulkamania period began) before Slaughter in 1991 was Andre in the ref screwjob (which lasted, what, 1 day?) and Savage for 2 months heading into WM V when he turned at the end of his run. If you think they were going to push Hennig into that spot, you're out of your mind. They didn't even make him a main eventer when everyone and their mother left the company in late-1992/1993. Hennig was great, but let's be realistic here. Yeah I think you're missing the point. Hennig was with the organization throughout a transisition period in the WWF. However, the transistion was far from successful. The mid 90's was a disaster for the WWF as a whole and perhaps if Hennig would have gotten a run with the belt it might have helped out the company. After all, if Mcmahon would have put the belt on Hennig instead of Nash, things would have gotten worse? I don't know, but I know HBK vs. Perfect at Wrestlemania sounds better on paper right now than the HBK vs. Nash match that is already in the history books.
|
|