Credit: WWE.com
In WWE’s unpredictable world of storytelling, sometimes promising angles falter due to booking decisions and real-life circumstances. One such example is the 2013 feud involving WWE part-timer Triple H and Curtis Axel, which arose from an in-ring injury storyline but ultimately led nowhere.
The Setup: Triple H’s Physical Toll & Curtis Axel’s Repurposing
At the time, Triple H was a well-established multi-time world champion but wrestling on a highly limited, part-time schedule due to age and accumulating physical wear. Earlier in 2013, Triple H had been in brutal encounters, including a taxing bout against Brock Lesnar that was part of a storyline buildup. To set up a fresh angle, WWE repackaged Curtis Axel son of wrestling legend “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig and positioned him as a key Paul Heyman client.
Curtis Axel’s new character found its first big test against Triple H on an episode of Raw. What began as a showcase match soon took a dramatic turn when Triple H started selling a storyline concussion. This led to a pivotal moment in which Triple H, disoriented and visibly struggling, sat at ringside and ultimately collapsed, forcing the referee to stop the match and count him out. This gave Axel a somewhat surprising countout victory over a WWE legend.
The Match and Booking That Raised Eyebrows
The match itself was basic in terms of wrestling action but significant for its storytelling. Triple H’s selling of the “injury” was intense enough to convince the audience that Axel had seriously done damage. He was portrayed as the new rising star, not just beating a part-time veteran but doing so with a psychological edge.
However, behind the scenes, many insiders felt the booking missed a key opportunity. Despite Axel technically scoring a high-profile win over Triple H an accomplishment that on paper should elevate a mid-carder WWE did not capitalize on this momentum. The victory was not used as a foundation for a compelling long-term program or meaningful push for Axel. Instead, the storyline fizzled shortly after, with Axel’s win amounting to little impact on his career trajectory.
A WWE source familiar with the plans at the time shared, “The idea was to give Curtis Axel a star-making moment to solidify his repackaged persona. But backstage, there was uncertainty about fully investing in him as a top contender. The concussion angle was a way to protect Triple H physically while still putting Axel over, but plans changed quickly after.”
The Fallout: A Dead End Feud
Following this storyline segment, Curtis Axel continued to hold the Intercontinental Championship and appeared regularly, but his momentum stalled. His feud with Triple H did not extend past that point, and Axel’s character soon lost its babyface appeal and Heyman’s backing. Injuries and inconsistent booking further hampered Axel’s career progression.
The storyline, built around what WWE intended to be a protected loss for Triple H, became a cautionary example of how high-profile victories can fail to launch new stars when not followed by strong creative support. Despite the initial potential, Axel’s win over Triple H did not translate into sustained main event opportunities.
Context Around Injuries and Part-Time Schedules
Triple H’s “injury” was largely a storytelling device, as he was managing real physical issues but only wrestling sporadically. Such angles that incorporate kayfabe injuries are common to give part-timers or legends a plausible reason for short matches or sudden defeats without harming their aura excessively.
Curtis Axel himself faced some legitimate injuries during his run, which further complicated booking plans. For example, he missed a scheduled Ill Hell In A Cell Intercontinental Championship match in 2013 due to a hip injury, showing how real-life setbacks affected the storyline trajectory.
Why Some Storylines Don’t Connect
The Triple H vs. Curtis Axel saga illustrates a frequent WWE challenge: balancing elevating emerging talents while protecting established stars. A part-timer losing cleanly can hurt their mystique, so creative workarounds like countouts or injury stoppages are used, but without consistent follow-up, these moments lose value.
Industry analysts note that wrestling storylines require follow-through to resonate. Without a longer-term plan, even promising story beats like Axel’s win can feel like dead ends. As one commentator put it, “You need to build from a big win. Otherwise, it’s just a moment that confuses fans more than excites them.”