Butch Reed
On January 28, 2001, Hennig returned to All Japan Pro Wrestling to team with Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham as they were defeated by George Hines, Jim Steele and Johnny Smith. In the Summer of 2001 he feuded with WLW Heavyweight champion Butch Reed in Missouri. Then on August 11, 2001 Hennig became the very first MECW World Heavyweight champion defeating Chris Harris in Philadelphia.