Joe Hennig

Curtis Axel

Axel in March 2016
Birth name	Joseph Curtis Hennig
Born	(1979-10-01) October 1, 1979 (age 37) Champlin, Minnesota, United States
Residence	Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Alma mater	North Hennepin Community College
Spouse(s)	Brooke Hennig (m. 2000)
Children	3
Family	Curt Hennig (father; 1958–2003) Larry Hennig (grandfather)
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Curtis Axel Joe Hennig Michael McGillicutty
Billed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Billed weight	228 lb (103 kg)
Billed from	Minneapolis, Minnesota Champlin, Minnesota
Trained by	Curt Hennig Brad Rheingans Harley Race
Debut	2006

Joseph Curtis "Joe" Hennig (born October 1, 1979) is an American professional wrestler and actor currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Curtis Axel. Hennig debuted in WWE in 2010, joining The Nexus under the ring name Michael McGillicutty. He had previously wrestled at their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) and was part of the second season of NXT. In 2011, Hennig won the WWE Tag Team Championship with David Otunga as a member of The New Nexus. In May 2013, Hennig reignited his career under his current ring name, paying tribute to his father "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig and his grandfather Larry "The Axe" Hennig and won the Intercontinental Championship.

Hennig made his professional debut on July 13, 2007 in Waterloo, Iowa for World League Wrestling (WLW), teaming with Ted DiBiase Jr. to defeat Dinn T. Moore and Branden Tatum by disqualification. Hennig later went on a nine-month winning streak in WLW before suffering his first singles loss to "Wild" Wade Chism.

On March 31, 2007, Hennig along with his mother, siblings, and his grandfather represented his father "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig at the 2007 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony by accepting the award on his behalf. On the October 26, 2007 episode of SmackDown, Hennig teamed with Steve Fender in a loss to Jesse and Festus.