10 Wrestling Legends Whose WWE Returns Hurt Their Legacy

10. Mr. Perfect

Curt Hennig is rightly regarded as one of the best technical wrestlers of all-time. A tremendous heel and dominant Intercontinental Champion, he remains vastly underrated today. Boasting unparalleled technique, selling, and psychology, he was constantly held back through his mediocre microphone skills, but there wasn’t a wrestler in the world he couldn’t outclass in his prime. Some regard him as the greatest WWE wrestler to never win a world title, and it’s hard to argue with that.

Sadly, Mr. Perfect was far removed from his peak when he returned to WWE in the 2002 Royal Rumble. Entering at number 25, he lasted until the final three before being eliminated by Triple H, but his strong Rumble showing didn’t last. Hennig’s return was good for a quick nostalgia pop, and he got to wrestle Steve Austin a couple of times, but he always emerged the loser, and was soon shunted down the card.

Mr. Perfect’s declining abilities became more apparent with every passing week, and he quickly became little more than an enhancement worker. His role largely confined to Sunday Night Heat and Raw’s early stages, Hennig was eventually released in May, just four months after returning. After brawling with Brock Lesnar on the infamous Plane Ride from Hell, Mr. Perfect never worked for WWE again, and sadly passed away in February 2003.