Curtis Axel Brings "Axelmania" Gimmick Back At WWE House Show
Does this open the door for Hulk Hogan's eventual return?
The 2016 Brand Split has revived the fortunes of several previously struggling WWE superstars, but Curtis Axel isn't one of them. The former Social Outcast has endured a torrid 12 months and has barely been seen since the Split started in July, but his most famous gimmick might just be coming back.
Axel revived his old "Axelmania" gimmick during a WWE Live Event in St. Louis on Tuesday night, as per the following Tweets:-
Axel teamed with Sin Cara, Darren Young, and The Golden Truth to beat Bo Dallas, Jinder Mahal, Titus O'Neil and The Shining Stars at the event, and Axelmania's revival could have major implications.
The former Intercontinental Champion started imitating Hulk Hogan following his non-elimination from the 2015 Royal Rumble, but Axelmania was ditched when Hogan's Gawker/racism scandal erupted that July. WWE quickly severed all ties with the Hulkster, including the quiet removal of Axel's gimmick, and it was back to anonymity for Mr. Perfect's son.
Hogan has been heavily linked with a WWE since scoring a cool $115 million in damages after winning his case against Gawker earlier this year. The man himself has denied all talk of contact between himself and WWE, and while Axemania's reprisal doesn't guarantee Hogan's comeback, it at least shows a clear shift in WWE's stance on him.