Michael Ryan Henderson Sr. (born December 11, 1960) is a retired second-generation American professional wrestler who is better known by his former ring name Keith "The Axe" Henderson. Henderson competed in the wrestling business from the early 80's to the late 90's and mainly wrestled for local company Columbus Championship Wrestling (CCW). Henderson Sr. is the son of Ryan "The Hammer" Henderson. Michael is the father of professional wrestler Michael Henderson Jr. who competes for WEW under the ring name Ryan Henderson as well as his two older siblings, both whom also competed in the wrestling business; Colby and Jack "Nero" Henderson.
Henderson helped train his sons to wrestle at very young ages and first retired in 1993 after a serious back injury, before returning to wrestling in 1998. Henderson would later retire a second time in 2003 after battling through a slew of injuries close to the end of his career. While wrestling for CCW, Henderson held the CCW Southern Ohio Heavyweight Championship on seven different occasions. Henderson also held the CCW Ohio Tag Team Championship a record-breaking eleven times. Two of those reigns were with his father, the rest were with his longtime friend and partner Jacob Freedman, together they were known as "The Axe Grinders". Henderson currently resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife of thirty one years, Mary.
Professional wrestling career[]
Columbus Championship Wrestling (1980–1992)[]
Info here
Return to Columbus Championship Wrestling (1998–2003)[]
Info here
Retirement from Professional Wrestling (2003–present)[]
Info here
Personal life[]
Henderson has been married to his high school sweetheart, Mary Henderson (née Levesque) for 31 years since October 1982. Together they have three children; Colby, Jack and Michael Jr. all whom are professional wrestlers.
In wrestling[]
Finishing moves
- Axe Grinder (Running high-impact lariat)
- Axe Bomb (Release powerbomb)
Signature moves
- Abdominal stretch
- Backbreaker rack
- Bearhug
- Big boot
- Delayed gutwrench suplex
- Double underhook suplex
- Fallaway slam, sometimes from the second rope
- Inverted atomic drop
- Scoop slam piledriver
- Side Death Valley Driver
Nicknames
- "The Axe"
- "The Columbus Massacre" (early career)
Entrance themes
- "T.N.T." by AC/DC (1980–1992)
- "Jump" by Van Halen (Used while teaming with Jacob Freedman)
- "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC (1998–2003)
Wrestlers trained by Henderson
- Angelita Henderson
- Colby Henderson
- Nero Henderson
- Ryan Henderson
Championships and accomplishments[]
Columbus Championship Wrestling
- CCW Southern Ohio Heavyweight Championship (7 times)
- CCW Ohio Tag Team Championship (11 times) – with Ryan Henderson (2), and Jacob Freedman (9)
- CCW Hall of Fame (2003)