Curtis Axel was having some success back in 2015 with a Hulk Hogan-inspired gimmick. “AxelMania” was getting him positive live reactions, he was part of a mid-card team with Damien Sandow as “Macho Mandow” that was getting television time - he even had a shirt!
That all came to an end when the audio of Hulk Hogan’s sex tape hit the internet featuring the Hall of Famer using racial slurs, WWE fired and proceeded to scrub all references to the Hulkster from the company... including Axel’s schtick.
Vince McMahon and WWE’s position against one of the biggest stars in their history has been gradually less staunch, as Hogan has repeatedly apologized and vowed to be a changed man, and his most high profile court cases have been settled. Many observers position his return to the company as a matter of “when” not “if”.
And our latest piece of evidence is the return of AxelMania at a Raw brand house show in St. Louis last night (Dec. 27):
AXELMANIA IS RUNNING WILD!!!! pic.twitter.com/eyJDd7P2eB
— Matt Thomas (@dumpsterm0nkey6) December 28, 2016
The former Intercontinental champion donned his red “AxelMania” bandana to tag alongside Golden Truth, Sin Cara & Darren Young (with Bob Backlund) to defeat Bo Dallas, Jinder Mahal, Titus O'Neil & the Shining Stars. According to fans in attendance, he brought back the whole act - Hulking up for a comeback straight through to hitting a leg drop.
It’s obviously too early to tell if this was a one-off, let alone if it means anything for Hogan’s status. Axel was involved in a similar multi-man match in Brooklyn tonight, but there are no reports he did anything Hulk-related.
Whatcha gonna do, WWE?