10 Second Generation Wrestlers That Should Have Known Better
3. Curtis Axel
That the excesses of the wrestling industry played a part in the premature death of his father is not the only reason Joseph 'Curtis Axel/Michael McGillicuty' Hennig maybe shouldn't have bothered following in his 'Perfect' dad's footsteps.
Curt Hennig is on a short list as one of the best wrestlers never to win a world title with WWE or WCW/NWA, despite being pushed as a top star in the AWA, holding their version of the World Heavyweight Championship for over a year after a lengthy chase.
He was a spectacular performer between the ropes. A bumping machine with a tight, technically proficient style, he was equally outstanding as the infuriatingly arrogant heel or rightfully confident babyfaces. The quintessential Intercontinental Champion from an era when the belt was held in high regard for the quality of matches underneath Heavyweight Title contests featuring Hulk Hogan and the Ultimate Warrior, Hennig was the 'Mr Perfect' persona he espoused. There was not a shred of dissonance.
This could sadly not be said for his oldest son.
Admittedly hampered somewhat by a p*ss-poor developmental upbringing via lousy runs in Florida Championship Wrestling and the original NXT, Hennig displayed none of his father's natural charisma and little of his in-ring acumen.
Cast in his vast shadow even without being gifted the surname to work with, he never advanced beyond the low card, and short of a remarkable Jinder Mahal push, looks destined to remain staring at the lights for the foreseeable future.