Curtis Axel and Damien Sandow Shed Their "Mega Powers" Gimmick Amidst the Hulk Hogan Controversy

WWE superstars Curtis Axel and Damien Sandow shed their “Mega Powers” gimmick amidst the Hulk Hogan controversy that has swept the nation over the last few days. As previously reported, Hogan was fired from WWE after a transcript of his 2006 sex tape revealed that Hogan had used racial slurs in conversation, confessing to actually being “a little racist” himself.

Axel had been imitating Hogan since April, calling himself “Axlemania.” He shaved his beard into a fu manchu mustache, dyed it bleach-blonde, wore a wig similar to Hogan’s, came out dressed in Hogan’s attire, and even used Hogan’s signature moves and entrance music.

This was his response to Sandow’s character, who was mimicking others as his gimmick. Sandow had imitated The Miz for months, calling himself “Mizdow,” until WrestleMania 31, where he turned babyface and finally stood up to Miz, no longer wanting to be his “stunt double.”

In his first promo following WrestleMania, Sandow addressed the crowd, who wanted a fresh start for the entertaining superstar, before Axel interrupted, calling Sandow’s schtick insulting. Sandow began mimicking Axel in the ring, until Axel left after an attack from Sandow.

Axel would then try to show that “anyone” can mimic someone else and get over, so he began acting as if he were Hogan. Sandow would begin impersonating the late WWE Hall of Famer “Macho Man” Randy Savage, calling himself “Macho Mandow,” leading to the two teaming up via handshake to become the new “Mega Powers.”

However, in loo of Hogan’s dismissal from WWE on July 24, the company wanted no trace of his character to be represented on their programming, meaning Axel had to stop using the Hulkster’s gimmick. Now it appears that the two will remain a tag team, but go by their usual ring names, looking as plain as ever.

Axel was clean shaven and in black jean shorts on Friday evening at a WWE Live Event, and Sandow was in black trunks and neon green knee pads. Where their careers go from here is uncertain.