Curtis Axel

On the May 20 Raw, Paul Heyman decided to take history into his own hands by remolding a third-generation Superstar. Replacing his WWE-given name with a moniker that pays homage to his father, "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, and his grandfather, Larry "The Axe" Hennig, Michael McGillicutty was reborn as Curtis Axel.

The Superstar once known as Michael McGillicutty joined WWE NXT season two with high expectations and an even greater aggressiveness. The third-generation competitor came in second place on WWE NXT and found a home on Raw as part of The New Nexus, resurfacing along with fellow NXT alum Husky Harris to help Wade Barrett overcome the group’s greatest adversary, John Cena.

Donning the black and yellow armband, McGillicutty would’ve made his father proud when he struck gold alongside David Otunga to become a WWE Tag Team Champion. The twosome defied its strongest critics for several months while holding the titles until McGillicutty and Otunga parted ways as a pair.

Deciding then to navigate the squared circle on his own, McGillicutty was equipped with a prestigious lineage and an imposing presence that served him on his quest in WWE.

The purpose of that quest became much clearer on May 20, when Curtis Axel was unveiled as the latest "Paul Heyman guy." Axel's appearance shocked the WWE Universe and incited Triple H into action, as The Game arrived to confront the latest addition to the mad scientist's stable. Later in the night, Axel went one-on-one with the WWE COO, scoring his first-ever victory when Triple H was unable to continue the match.

With his first win under his belt, Curtis Axel now looks to carve out his own legend in WWE.