In what has been a sad week for pro wrestling, Larry Hennig, grandfather to current WWE superstar Curtis Axel and father of “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig passed away today.
Trained by Verne Gagne and making his professional wrestling debut in the 1960s, he worked for the AWA promotion out of Minnesota. Calling himself “The Axe”, Larry toured the world winning the tag team gold in Australia and challenging Bruno Sammartino for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship in New York. Larry Hennig retired from professional wrestling in 1985. The news was broken first by Mike Mooneyham in a Tweet and later confirmed by the WWE.
The bad week for pro wrestling continues as we bid farewell to one of the nicest guys in the business with the passing of Larry "The Axe" Hennig. pic.twitter.com/uRFNgWpOeZ
— Mike Mooneyham (@ByMikeMooneyham) December 6, 2018
WWE is saddened to learn that legendary Superstar and Hennig family patriarch Larry “The Axe” Hennig passed away today at the age of 82. https://t.co/Zmy9gqt50m
— WWE (@WWE) December 6, 2018
Curtis Axel said the following in acknowledgment of the sad news:
82 years old. 5 kids. 28 grandkids. No one has had a bigger impact on my wrestling career than my Papa Axe. He’s been my biggest supporter since day one! Another father when I lost mine. We lost our King of the Jungle today… Never thought I’d see this day. But he’s with my Dad now so everything will be ok. Love you Papa Axe! The Hennig’s have always held out heads up high! We will continue to do so… You rest assured, The Hennig name will live on FOREVER!!!!
https://twitter.com/RealCurtisAxel/status/1070785958566457344
We at TWM News UK extend our condolences to the entire Hennig family.