Who Is Curtis Axel? Age, Biography and Wiki
Curtis Axel, born Joseph Curtis Hennig on October 1, 1979, is an American professional wrestler known for his tenure in WWE. The son of the late wrestling legend Curt Hennig (Mr. Perfect), Curtis has carved his own path in the wrestling industry, gaining acclaim for his in-ring skills and charisma. As of 2025, he is 45 years old and continues to be a prominent figure in professional wrestling, showcasing his talents in various promotions.
| Occupation | Wrestlers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 1, 1979 |
| Age | 45 Years |
| Birth Place | Champlin, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Curtis Axel's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Curtis Axel stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) and weighs approximately 240 pounds (109 kg). His athletic build, combined with his dedication to fitness, allows him to perform at the highest levels in the ring. Axel's body measurements include a well-defined chest, arms, and a strong physique that reflects his training and commitment to the sport.
On the June 24 episode of Raw, Axel saved CM Punk from an assault by The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil), at the request of Heyman and to the dismay of Punk.
This led to a tag team match the following week on Raw, where Axel won the match for his team after he tagged himself in following Punk delivering the Go To Sleep on Darren Young and pinned him for the victory.
Axel suffered his first loss since becoming Heyman's client on the July 8 episode of Raw, when he was pinned by Chris Jericho in a non-title match. At Money in the Bank, Axel defeated The Miz to retain the Intercontinental Championship, and later that night, Heyman turned on CM Punk.
Axel was set to team with Heyman in an elimination handicap match against Punk at Night of Champions, and during the pay-per-view, Heyman begged Triple H to cancel the match, but Triple H refused, not only confirming the match, but making Axel defend the Intercontinental Championship against Kofi Kingston, and Axel retained the title against Kingst
on.
Later in the event, Axel was eliminated by Punk, but Heyman won the match after interference from Ryback. On the September 30 episode of Raw, Axel was defeated by R-Truth in a non-title match, which gave Truth a title match. At Battleground, Axel defeated R-Truth to retain the Intercontinental Championship.
At Hell in a Cell, Axel was scheduled to defend his title against Big E Langston, however, the match was cancelled due to Axel's legitimate hip injury. On the November 15 episode of SmackDown, Heyman ended his association with Axel. On the November 18 episode of Raw, Axel lost the title to Langston, ending his reign at 155 days.
At Survivor Series, Axel failed to regain the championship from Langston.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Curtis Axel is known to be in a relationship but has chosen to keep the details of his dating life private. While he often shares glimpses of his family and personal life on social media, he maintains a certain level of discretion regarding his romantic relationships. Axel has a strong bond with his family, often expressing his love for his late father, and he continues to honor his legacy in the world of wrestling.
Hennig signed with WWE in 2007 and performed under his real name, stylized as Joe Hennig, at their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) and was a one-time FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion and four-time FCW Florida Tag Team Champion.
In 2010, after he competed on NXT under the ring name Michael McGillicutty, he debuted on WWE's main roster as part of The Nexus. He then won the WWE Tag Team Championship with David Otunga once.
In 2013, he reignited his career under the Curtis Axel ring name, paying tribute to his father Curt Hennig and his grandfather Larry "The Axe" Hennig and won the WWE Intercontinental Championship once. He then won the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship with Bo Dallas as part of The B-Team. His tenure with the company ended in April 2020.
He returned in April 2022 as a producer for three months.
Net Worth and Salary
Curtis Axel's estimated net worth in 2025 is around $4 million. This wealth has been amassed through his successful career in wrestling, including contracts with WWE and various independent promotions. Additionally, Axel has participated in merchandise sales and appearances that contribute to his overall earnings. His dedication and work ethic have allowed him to build a substantial financial portfolio in the competitive world of professional wrestling.
On October 3, 2010, at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, a disguised McGillicutty and Husky Harris interfered in a match between John Cena and Wade Barrett, and helped Barrett win, forcing Cena to join The Nexus per the pre-match stipulation.
On the following day's episode of Raw, McGillicutty and Harris' identities were revealed, though Barrett claimed he had not asked for their help and refused to make them full-time members of The Nexus.
The following week on Raw, McGillicutty and Harris cost Cena a match against The Miz, prompting Barrett to give them the opportunity to win membership in The Nexus. On the October 18 episode of Raw, McGillicutty and Harris failed to earn a place in The Nexus when they lost to Cena and Randy Orton in a tag team match.
On the following Raw, in spite of their loss, Harris and McGillicutty were inducted into The Nexus.
Career, Business and Investments
Curtis Axel's wrestling career took off when he debuted in the WWE in 2013. He has since competed in various high-profile matches and storylines, earning a reputation as a talented performer. Beyond his in-ring career, Axel has ventured into business opportunities, including wrestling schools and coaching, where he shares his expertise with aspiring wrestlers. He has also invested in fitness-related ventures, capitalizing on his passion for health and wellness.
Perfect" Curt Hennig. He is the grandson of professional wrestler Larry "The Axe" Hennig. He has a younger brother named Hank, and two younger sisters named Katie and Amy, who is also a professional wrestler. He graduated from North Hennepin Community College with an Associates of Science degree in business computer systems and management.
Social Network
Curtis Axel maintains an active presence on social media, engaging with his fans and sharing insights into his life and career. You can follow him on platforms such as:
- Instagram: @curtisaxel
- Twitter: @CurtisAxel
At the Royal Rumble on January 25, 2015, Axel was set to enter the Royal Rumble match at number 6, but was attacked by Erick Rowan on the entrance ramp, rendering him unable to compete.
As a result of not being eliminated (having never officially entered the match), Axel trended on Twitter following the event, and also received supportive tweets from former WWE wrestlers Lance Storm and Tommy Dreamer and then later from current WWE wrestlers Xavier Woods, Zack Ryder, and David Otunga, the latter offering his legal services.
Axel was defeated by Rowan on the following week's episode of Main Event. Axel then began an angle where he began referring to himself as "the true winner of the Royal Rumble", claiming that he still hadn't been eliminated from the match and that he deserved a shot at WrestleMania 31 for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship as a result.
This involved Axel interrupting segments involving the likes of Dean Ambrose, John Cena, and Rusev to protest his cause, and also led to Axel starting his own hashtag, #AxelMania. At WrestleMania 31, Axel participated in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, but was eliminated by multiple wrestlers.
Education
Curtis Axel's education has played a role in shaping his professional journey. He developed his wrestling skills through training at the renowned Minnesota Wrestling Academy, where many wrestling legends have trained. His dedication to learning and honing his craft has contributed to his success as a professional wrestler.
As Curtis Axel continues to innovate and inspire in 2025, fans can look forward to more exciting developments in his career and personal life. Keep an eye out for this talented star in the wrestling world!
McGillicutty then took part in the second season of NXT, with Kofi Kingston as his pro. He made his NXT debut on the June 8 episode, but did not compete in a match. He made his in-ring debut on the following edition of NXT, teaming with Kingston to defeat Mark Henry and Lucky Cannon.
In the first poll on June 29, McGillicutty was ranked third, behind Kaval and Percy Watson. On the July 20 episode of NXT, McGillicutty earned immunity from elimination in the next poll by completing an obstacle course in the fastest time. On the following episode of NXT, he moved up to first place in the second poll.
After six consecutive victories, McGillicutty suffered his first loss on the August 3 episode of NXT, when he was defeated by pro The Miz. On the August 9 episode of Raw, the rookies appeared in a six-man tag team match, in which McGillicutty teamed with Alex Riley and Husky Harris to defeat Kaval, Lucky Cannon, and Percy Watson.
The following night on NXT, his team lost a rematch, when McGillicutty was pinned by Kaval, and in the next poll later that night, McGillicutty relinquished the first place ranking back to Kaval, slipping to second place.
In the season finale on August 31, McGillicutty ended the competition in second place, being beaten by Kaval, and at the end of the show, McGillicutty attacked Kaval with the other eliminated rookies, turning heel in the process.
