Whenever I'm done with my chewing gum, I always spit it out and swipe it away a la Mr. Perfect. It's something I've done since high school and have continued to do so throughout the years, sometimes subconsciously. I'd bet I'm not the only one who does so.

During the late 1980's and early 1990's, did Curt Hennig ever have a bad match? If so, I don't remember. No one bumped, sold or had a better drop kick like Hennig … no one exemplified the smug heel like Mr. Perfect … and very few themes (from "Exodus") fit a character so well. Truly, Hennig was the "perfect" heel. Hennig's true calling was that of a heel … as a face, he seemed somewhat lost and misdirected. Without a doubt, he was a masterful heel in the same realm with the late Rick Rude, Jake Roberts and Ric Flair.

I especially enjoyed the brief days when the WWF referred to him as "'Mr. Perfect' Curt Hennig." It sounded less gimmicky. But, regardless, during an era of wild gimmicks, Hennig played a role that created heat by just exuding arrogance.

Hennig's matches with Bret Hart are all classics, especially the one-on-one match from Prime Time Wrestling (circa 1989) which saw Perfect use the tights to get the pinfall. The match was arguably five stars. Perfect's desecration of the WWF title on Saturday Night's Main Event is also a classic moment … as were many incidents during his feud with Hulk Hogan.

After losing the Intercontinental Title to Bret Hart at SummerSlam '91, Hennig momentarily retired due to back problems. He became a WWF (heel) announcer until he was put with Ric Flair as his "Executive Consultant."

When the Ultimate Warrior bailed from the WWF in 1993, Perfect turned babyface on Prime Time Wrestling (another great segment featuring Heenan, Flair and Ramon) to team with Randy Savage against Flair and Ramon at the Survivor Series. Shortly thereafter, Perfect would have a series of great matches with Flair culminating in the infamous loser-leaves the WWF match on RAW. Other feuds included Doink (another fantastic series of matches in the qualifying rounds of inaugural The King of the Ring), Shawn Michaels and Lex Luger. As a face, the fans never rallied behind Hennig … he was someone the crowd loved hating. Hennig would return to announcing…

In 1996, Hennig's announcing lead to a verbal feud with Triple H and a mentoring of Marc Mero. In October, he would turn on Mero, costing him the IC belt to Triple H. He would be Hunter's manager on TV for approximately one week until he joined the defection to WCW…

In WCW, Hennig, like so many others, was just lost in the proverbial shuffle. His tenure there started out decently enough … joining the Horsemen then swerving to the NWO. Truly-while others obviously didn't-Hennig seemed to belong-due to his obvious history-with Hogan, Hall and Nash in the NOW. He would win the US belt from Steve McMichael and later be a tag champ with Barry Windham.

Hennig would periodically float in-and-out of WCW storylines. WCW seemed lost on how to use him. When The West Texas Rednecks gimmick came along, Hennig said in an interview that it would rejuvenate his career. And it did just that … momentarily. The lip-synching, cowboy Hennig had a hit song on Southern radio and the gimmick that started as a joke was suddenly serious and watchable because of Hennig as well as Barry Windham. But, per WCW, they ruined the old school gimmick by bringing in rapper Master P and The No Limit Soldiers (thank you very much, Mr. Bischoff).

Hennig's final days in WCW were painful to watch. He went on a jobbing-spree to low/mid-carders including Shawn Stasiak who had adapted Hennig's persona along with a variation of his WWF theme.

Last year, Hennig returned to the WWF, re-debuting in the Royal Rumble. As a nice tribute-and a sign that he would probably be around a while-Hennig was one of the remaining few in the Rumble. But in a world of where it was now cool to use your real name, Hennig was back to plain, Mr. Perfect. He wasn't with the WWF long either. They quickly pushed Perfect into a feud with Steve Austin that lasted over the span of two weeks … Hennig started putting over the WWF's big name talent like Kane and Rob Van Dam. There was something missing and it obviously wasn't the Hennig-or Perfect-of old.

Hennig's WWF days ended, however, after the infamous flight back from the UK. Hennig and Brock Lesnar got into an in-air altercation which some claim was simply rough amateur wrestling while others say Hennig almost pushed Lesnar out of an emergency exit. Regardless, Hennig was released immediately. While, during a subsequent interview, Hennig claimed he was only on suspension from the WWF, he would never return. Rumors have another Hennig-Lesnar altercation taking place in a Minneapolis bar this past winter.

Looking back at the 1988 Survivor Series, it is sad to think that only one member survives (Harley Race) of the team of Andre, Rick Rude, Perfect, Dino Bravo and Race. It is also odd to realize that in the realm of performers who appeared on WWF TV, Perfect is the closest death to hit home so-to-speak since the tragic death of Owen Hart in May of 1999.

In a world of scripted violence, concocted promos and faked deaths that don't mean anything (i.e. "Al Wilson"), it is sad to think that the death of a legend like Hennig could ever be forgotten.

With the passing of Hennig goes, yet again, another piece of childhood…

I'll still be swatting my gum …