Former WWE Star Joseph Hennig (Curtis Axel) Facing Multiple Charges Following Minnesota Arrest

Former WWE performer Curtis Axel, whose real name is Joseph Curtis Hennig, is reportedly dealing with several legal issues following an alleged drunk-driving incident in Minnesota earlier this month.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Anoka County, the situation unfolded on May 17, 2026, at a McDonald’s in St. Francis, Minnesota. Police were dispatched to the location around 8:47 p.m. after receiving reports of a property-damage accident in the restaurant’s drive-thru area.

Officers allegedly encountered Hennig behind the wheel of a truck in the parking lot and noted multiple signs of possible intoxication, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong smell of alcohol.

The complaint further claims that Hennig did not comply with requests to exit the vehicle. Authorities reportedly shut off the truck, removed the keys, and physically escorted him out before placing him under arrest.

Police also allege that Hennig declined to take a chemical test after being informed of Minnesota’s Breath Test Advisory procedures.

A McDonald’s employee reportedly told officers that Hennig had been difficult to understand while placing an order in the drive-thru. The witness also claimed he became verbally aggressive and backed his vehicle into another car before yelling at the other driver.

During a search of the vehicle prior to towing, officers allegedly discovered an open 750 mL bottle of vodka inside the truck.

Hennig is now facing several charges, including:

  • Refusal to submit to a chemical test
  • Driving while under the influence
  • Obstructing legal process
  • Open bottle violation
  • Disorderly conduct

Court documents show the case was officially filed on May 18. Bail was reportedly structured to allow either a $12,000 bond without conditions or release without monetary bail under court-ordered conditions.

At this time, neither Hennig nor his representatives have publicly commented on the allegations. As with all criminal cases, the charges remain allegations, and Hennig is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Curtis Axel wrestled for WWE from 2007 through 2020, performing under both the Curtis Axel and Michael McGillicutty names. A third-generation wrestler, he is the son of WWE Hall of Famer “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig and the grandson of wrestling veteran Larry Hennig.

During his WWE run, Axel captured the Intercontinental Championship and also held the WWE Tag Team Championship, becoming part of one of wrestling’s most well-known family legacies.

Curtis Axel Released By WWE

WWE announced Curtis Axel has been released from the company.

The company posted a statement on WWE.com which reads as follows:

WWE has come to terms on the release of Curtis Axel.

We wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Axel, the son of “Mr. Perfect” aka Curt Hennig, signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2007. Hennig took part in the second season of NXT as Michael McGillicutty, then was part of Nexus. The wrestler got repackaged in 2013 as Curtis Axel on RAW to pay homage to his father and grandfather, Larry ‘The Axe’ Hennig, with Paul Heyman as his manager. That eventually ended though.

Axel was additionally part of the Social Outcasts and most recently the B-Team with Bo Dallas.

The 40-year-old wrestler is a one-time Intercontinental champion and two-time tag champ.

As we previously reported, WWE is cutting talent in an effort save money due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the company.

 

The B-Team Officially Moved To SmackDown Live

Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel — aka The B-Team — are now part of the SmackDown Live roster.

The roster change was reflected yesterday afternoon on their WWE.com profiles following a report saying they had been quietly moved as part of the Superstar Shake-Up.

The duo formerly known as The Miztourage changed their name in 2018 after The Miz was drafted to SmackDown Live. B-Team eventually defeated Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy to capture the RAW Tag Team titles, but their reign only lasted 50 days. They’ve been used sparingly ever since.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

 

WWE Is Now Selling Official B-Team Shirts

b-team shirts wwe shop bo dallas curtis axel

Put away your sharpie pens, because Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel now have officially licensed B-Teamshirts on WWE Shop.

The shirts went live Monday and feature a big “B” on the front — just like the ones on TV — but in typical WWE fashion there’s also text on the back which says, “The ‘B’ Stands 4 Best.”

Get one for yourself by CLICKING HERE.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Bray Wyatt Wants Bo Dallas And Curtis Axel To Join The Woken Universe

miztourage curtis axel bo dallas woken universe bray wyatt matt hardy

The Miztourage are currently on the hunt for a new wrestler to hitch their wagon to … and Bray Wyatt is suggesting Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel join him in the Woken Universe.

Following Raw this evening, Wyatt tweeted: “Please, [Bo Dallas], [Curtis Axel] Quit trying to coincide with those Obsolete Mules. A Woken World awaits you. Let us fix you.”

https://twitter.com/WWEBrayWyatt/status/988645348355858433

In case you missed it on Raw this week, Bo and Axel were denied in their attempt to start a new faction with both Seth Rollins and Finn Balor. Bo and Axel went on to lose a tag match against Rollins and Balor.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Curtis Axel Not Happy With How He’s Being Used In WWE

Former Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel vented on Twitter Monday night about how he’s being used in the WWE. Axel has been of WWE TV since the Hulk Hogan racist comment situation. Axel had been portraying a parody of Hogan on WWE TV. Below is Axel’s Twitter post, saying the sidelines are no place for a starter:

2 WWE Superstars Returning To TV Soon

WWE

Ryback & Curtis Axel should be returning to WWE TV Soon, likely within the next month. Ryback was out recovering from hernia surgery & Axel was kept off TV while Ryback was recovering.

Source: WrestlingINC.com