4 Superstars Paul Heyman couldn't get over

#3 Curtis Axel

Curtis Axel and AJ Styles

Originally known as Michael McGillicutty, Axel was later given another name that seemed easy on the tongue. He came up to the main roster along with Husky Harris, attacking John Cena during his match with Wade Barrett, helping him win the bout. Years later, McGillicutty was repackaged as Curtis Axel, with Paul Heyman being named as his manager.

The association lasted for a while, with Heyman and Axel teaming up against CM Punk at Night of Champions. Axel was eliminated by Punk, but Heyman eventually won the match after interference by Ryback. Soon after, Heyman declared that Axel was no longer a Paul Heyman Guy, marking the end of their alliance. Over the next few years, Axel was given new gimmicks, like AxelMania (a Hulk Hogan impersonator), The Social Outcasts (alongside Heath Slater, Adam Rose, and Bo Dallas), and a tandem named The B-Team, with Bo Dallas. Heyman being Axel's manager didn't help matters for him, and he was released from the company in 2020 after languishing in the mid-card segment for a long time.

Axel was wrestling royalty. He was the son of one of WWE's most technically sound wrestlers, 'Mr Perfect' Curt Hennig. But he was unable to replicate even a small portion of his old man's storied career and hence phased out without a trace.

Another example of a Heyman guy who couldn't make it big in the business.