Being a “Paul Heyman Guy” has often been viewed as a quick track to WWE stardom, but in response to Paul Heyman himself, that was never the case for former WWE Superstar Curtis Axel.
Appearing on the most recent episode of Chris Van Vliet’s “INSIGHT” podcast, Heyman reflected on his partnership with the previous Intercontinental Champion and explained why Axel’s run never evolved right into a foremost event push. He said,
“Because I don’t think it was meant to work out. I don’t think there was ever an overall grand scheme to maneuver Curtis Axel all the way in which up the ladder. Curtis Axel filled the necessity for there to be people around me to feed to CM Punk on the time. If there was (a long-term plan), I used to be never clued in on it.”
Heyman revealed that when he was informed he could be paired with Axel, he immediately questioned what the corporate’s plans were for the son of WWE Hall of Famer Mr. Perfect. He said,
“After I was told I used to be getting Curtis Axel, my query was, ‘What are we doing with this?’ And Vince’s answer was, ‘Going all of the strategy to the highest.’ I don’t think Vince really felt that about him.”
Axel, a former one-time Intercontinental Champion and two-time WWE Tag Team Champion, wrestled his final WWE match on February 28, 2020, losing to Daniel Bryan, now generally known as Bryan Danielson in AEW, on SmackDown. Since his departure, he has wrestled only once, competing under his real name, Joe Hennig, in May 2025.
Meanwhile, Heyman stays absent from WWE television after being by chance Speared by his current “Paul Heyman Guy,” Bron Breakker, during an attempted attack on Seth Rollins.
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