10 Exact Moments WWE Stopped Trying

6. Paul Heyman Ditches Curtis Axel

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WWE.com

Somehow, despite being saddled with one of the worst ring names ever, Curtis Axel survived and eventually found himself becoming a "Paul Heyman Guy" in 2013. Sure, the former Michael McGillicutty had less natural charisma than a ballpoint pen, but Heyman would make up for promo shortcomings.

Or not.

WWE quickly realised that even Paul E couldn't squeeze more from Axel. Poor Curtis went from being involved in featured segments with Heyman, CM Punk, Triple H and other top names to tumbling painfully down the pecking order. By the time Paul dumped him in early-November, it was over.

Mr. Perfect's lad scrambled around asking why his manager was absent in promos, then dropped the Intercontinental Title to Big E (Langston) on the 18 November 2013 Raw. After that, WWE put him a rubbish tag with Ryback (RybAxel) and washed their hands of someone who was supposed to be a future candidate for World Championship successes.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.