WWE Releases Curtis Axel
Another WWE veteran has been let go...
Apr 30, 2020
Joseph Hennig, known to WWE fans under names such as Michael McGillicutty and Curtis Axel, was released from the company on Thursday, as announced by WWE.
The 40-year-old, 13-year veteran is the son of the late "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, and grandson of the late Larry "The Ax" Hennig.
Axel debuted in WWE developmental in the summer of 2008 under his real name. He switched to the McGillicutty handle around the time he joined the cast of NXT's second season in June 2010.
Axel eventually joined The Nexus, under Wade Barrett and later CM Punk. During his time with the group, he held WWE's Tag Team titles with David Otunga, and the pair were technically the group's final two members.
After rechristening himself Curtis Axel in 2013, the third-generation wrestler took on Paul Heyman as a manager, and held the Intercontinental title for five months. This made he and Mr. Perfect the first father/son duo to each hold the IC belt.
In the years since, Axel was mostly used as comic relief, though he and partner Bo Dallas did reign as Raw Tag Team champions in 2018, as The B-Team.
Axel was also instrumental in working with both Brock Lesnar and The Rock, helping each man get back into ring shape during their respective returns close to a decade ago.
