When Nathan Frazer and Axiom first crossed paths in NXT, they were on opposite ends of the spectrum. However, by the time of the 2024 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, their dynamic had evolved into something unique. The duo, initially rivals, would eventually come together to form FrAxiom, a tag team that went on to win the NXT Tag Team Championship twice.
The Chemistry of FrAxiom: “Brotherly Love” with a Twist
In a recent interview on The Rich Eisen Show, Nathan Frazer reflected on the unusual but special bond he shares with Axiom. The two men, despite having contrasting personalities and wrestling styles, found something that clicked when paired together.
“I’m so serious; there isn’t anything that, like, right off the bat, we just agree on. Ever,” Frazer shared. “I think we’re so similar, we’ve got so many similarities, so many little, little things where you go: ‘Yeah, these two were meant to be a tag team,’ but also, we’re just completely different wrestlers and completely different people.”
Frazer likened their relationship to “brotherly love”, acknowledging that sibling-like rivalry is an inherent part of any long-lasting partnership, especially in wrestling. He also recalled their early Best of Three rivalry in NXT 2.0, which he believes was a pivotal moment where they showcased their abilities to the fans and to themselves.
“I think that was our time where we wanted to really just showcase to everybody how good we were,” Frazer said. “The timing of us becoming a tag team was just kind of perfect.”
Tag Team Wrestling: A Surprising Evolution
While Frazer admits that his initial goal was always to be a singles competitor, he eventually found a love for tag team wrestling. This shift in perspective came about gradually as he and Axiom began to gel in the ring.
“The long-term plan wasn’t ever to really be a tag team,” Frazer admitted. “But I think everything just worked, and it clicked.” The two worked so well together that even as their tag team took off, Frazer was still thinking about his solo career. Yet, he couldn’t ignore how much they enjoyed working together as FrAxiom.
Axiom, for his part, has embraced the tag team style wholeheartedly. He acknowledged that while their pairing seemed spontaneous, tag team wrestling offered a level of creativity and excitement that he found deeply fulfilling.
“There is something about tag team wrestling that is so special,” Axiom shared. “When you have these long matches, and everything kind of clicks, and the crowd is really into it? There are more people in the ring, like, the action you can get in tag team wrestling is way higher than in singles wrestling!”
Axiom, who was known for his technical style, especially in applying holds and submissions, revealed that forming FrAxiom was one of the most rewarding parts of his career. “Getting my mind into it, and applying my holds and submissions, from this creation that was FrAxiom? It was one of the best times in our careers, I have to say,” he explained.
FrAxiom’s Original Plan: From Rivals to Team… and Back Again?
Interestingly, Frazer and Axiom revealed that FrAxiom wasn’t always intended to be a long-term team. Initially, the duo was on a path that seemed destined to split them up in typical tag team fashion—the heel betrays the babyface trope. The story seemed to be leading to an eventual clash between them, with Axiom and Frazer playing off their rivalry from earlier.
Frazer elaborated on the original direction for the team: “I’m sure you remember, just us, bickering back and forth for, just, what seemed like months on TV,” he recalled. “The plan was originally meant to split us.”
Despite the storyline seemingly set to break up their partnership, Frazer and Axiom both felt a strong connection that they didn’t want to lose. Frazer continued, “Everything was just clicking and firing on all cylinders, and we just both went to Shawn [Michaels] and were like: ‘Shawn! Don’t do it! Don’t, don’t, please don’t do it.'”
In fact, NXT Stand and Deliver 2023 was originally planned to be a Hair vs. Mask match between the two, marking the dramatic culmination of their rivalry. However, as time passed and their tag team chemistry continued to grow, they convinced Shawn Michaels not to go down that path.
FrAxiom’s Legacy: More Than Just a Tag Team
Despite the original plan being to eventually break them up, FrAxiom has become one of the most successful and beloved tag teams in NXT history. They’ve won the NXT Tag Team Championship twice, proving that sometimes, the most unexpected pairings lead to the most fulfilling and productive relationships in wrestling.
Their partnership may have started out of necessity, but over time, Frazer and Axiom have built a bond that feels genuine, with both men acknowledging the growth they’ve experienced together.
Whether or not their future lies in the tag team division or as individual stars remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: FrAxiom will always be remembered as one of the most dynamic and well-executed tag teams in recent memory.
