Paul Heyman's newest client is none other than Joe Hennig, son of the late legend Curt Hennig (Known as Mr Perfect). Heyman is known for backing up underrated stars and using his excellent managing skills to help put them over. On his path Heyman has helped stars such as Brock Lesnar, Rob Van Dam, Cm Punk and Big Show both on and off-screen. Just to give you an example of what I am talking about: Heyman is one of few guys within WWE that saw the potential Cm Punk had, and if Heyman hadn't taken him under his wing during his time as "manager" of ECW, Punk would most likely have been fired by WWE back then. But fast foreword seven years, and Cm Punk is the companies second biggest star only behind John Cena. He did pretty much the same thing with Brock Lesnar, only this time he used his excellent promo skills to put him over with the fans. But his newest client is more of a question mark! Only hardcore fans knew who Curtis Axel (Joe Hennig) was before he debuted with his new gimmick. But what does Heyman see in this guy? Let me give you a breakdown of Hennig's potential and grading each breackdown:
1) In-ring abilities
Axel's in ring abilities has yet to be tested after his debut. He has already been in some great matches, but he has yet not been given the chance to show us how great he really is in the ring. His father is known as one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time, which puts a lot of pressure on Axel. As the hardcore wrestling fan that I am, I know a lot about Axel's in-ring abilities. Just to give you an example. The Rock and Brock Lesnar needed a training-partner that could help them before their big matches both at Wrestlemania and their matches before that. Curtis Axel was sent to help them both. But he ended up being more than a training-partner, he ended up being an "instructor" for both of them. Both Rock and Lesnar has praised Axel for the help he gave the during training-camps, even revealing that Axel was learning them a lot new and more modern moves so that they would be improved wrestlers before their matches. It is not many people in the world that can say that they have learned guys like Rock and Lesnar more about in-ring performing than they already knew.
Anyway, Axel has a great form of move-set, which is combined with everything from power-moves to ground-moves and to high risk moves. He has great agility, awareness, orientation and ground-skills which helps making him a pretty much amazing in-ring performer. He has it all in the ring, and he is in his best condition ever. Just like his father, Axel could easily go out there and perform in a high-paced match for 40 minutes straight. Most likely he will be given the opportunity to prove how good he is in the ring in the near future.
Grade
A
2) Charisma
Many people thinks that Axel lacks a lot of charisma. But that is not the case! The only problem now is that his character is supposed to be this "slimy corporate robot kind of guy", which is the main reason he has not been flying around and screaming like a mad man. But he is billed as a tough guy that never backs down from a challenge, but as far as it goes with charisma, he is currently portraying a character that isn't supposed to show any form of emotions. But that will all change down the road, just give it some time.
Grade
C+
3) Crowd connection
Axel had a great connection with the Chicago crowd, but other than that he has a lot to prove on this area. Some superstars such as Cena, Punk, Jericho and Bryan knows how to connect with the crowd, but this is something Axel has not shown us yet. You could blame it on the character he is portraying, but I think that his connection with crowd will be better down the line when we get to know him better.
GradeC-
4) Promo-abilities
Axel is a decent talker, but not a great one! But this is where Paul Heyman comes in and saves the day. Axel has done some talking himself, but usually Heyman is the one that cuts the promos. Not all wrestlers are great at the promo-part, but thankfully that is what managers are for. But don't get me wrong, Axel could easily cut promos by himself, but Heyman is there to make those decent promos into excellent promos, which helps putting him more over with the crowd.
Grade
C
5) Potential
Personally I think that Axel has a great potential. He is already the IC-champion only a month after his debut, and he has a 8-0 winning record so far. This proves to me that WWE also believes in him. Now he needs a decent feud with some high profile star, so that he can prove to us that he has main-event potential. I think if Axel's character gets a little more "freedom", the kid can go out there and show us what a natural talent he is. I think his "corporate wrestler" kind of character is holding him a bit down, but though it is also helping him a lot considering all those wrestlers he has faced after his debut.
If Axel can show more than his "corporate wrestler" side, and find a way to connect with the crowd, he has no limits to how far he can get up the food chain within WWE.
Grade
A-
What do you think of Curtis Axel? Tell us in the comment section below.
As usual, enjoy another great classical WWE-match:
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Have a great one!
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