Published: Feb 17, 2024 by Connel Rumsey | Last Updated: Feb 17, 2024 by Connel Rumsey
Connel has over five years of wrestling journalism experience writing about some of the biggest stories from across the wrestling world. Being a fan for 20 years, Connel has an expansive knowledge from a wide range of various wrestling promotions, including WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA and Joshi.@connel1405
WWE
A former WWE star has discussed ‘fighting’ to use his legendary family name in the company after being repackaged.
WWE made attempts to push former star Joe Hennig back in 2013, repackaging the former Michael McGillicutty as ‘Curtis Axel’ and pairing him up with Paul Heyman.
While the name ‘Curtis Axel’ paid homage to his father Curt Hennig and grandfather Larry ‘the Axe’ Hennig, many had hoped that WWE would have opted to use the Hennig name for Axel.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Axel discussed the repackaging, and how he fought to use the Hennig name, and plans to use it when he comes back to wrestling.
He said:
“I’ve always wanted my name. My last name means the world to me. The name Hennig. I fought it the whole time I was up there. I fought it when I became Curtis Axel. Even Heyman [Paul Heyman] tried helping me get that name, my name back. They just wouldn’t budge.
“I was fine with Curtis Axel, you take Curt, Curtis, and Axe is Larry ‘The Axe,’ so it was cool and that was fine with me, but I always wanted to be Joe Hennig. When I was in developmental in FCW, I was Joe Hennig. I won the world championship there as Joe Hennig, and once I got brought up, they changed my name, I thought it was some kind of rib. It wasn’t. When I comeback, that’s something I’m going to work out. I’m not doing anything except be Joe Hennig.”
transcription via Fightful
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