Former WWE Champion Arrested
A former WWE star recently paid the price for breaking the law.
Curtis Axel had a 13-year stint in the sports entertainment juggernaut before his release on April 30, 2020. He was brought back as a backstage producer in April 2022, but was let go just three months later.
His last match in WWE was against Daniel Bryan on the February 28, 2020, edition of Friday Night SmackDown. Axel also competed in the independent circuit in 2025, at Midwest All-Star Wrestling’s Extreme Measures 2 event, teaming up with Cal Bloom to defeat Aaron Arsenal and Lennox Leone.
As per Mike Johnson of PWInsider, Curtis Axel (real name: Joseph Curtis Hennig) was arrested in Anoka County, Minnesota, on May 17, 2026.
The former WWE IC Champion was charged with third-degree driving while impaired, refusal to submit to a chemical test (breath or test refusal or failure), obstructing the legal process, having an open bottle of alcohol in his car, and failing to stop after an accident to property that did not involve injury.
Court records indicate that Curtis Axel was released from jail on May 19, two days after his arrest.
Former WWE star, Curtis Axel, has been arrested.
He was reportedly arrested on May 17th and charged with third-degree driving while impaired, refusal to submit to a chemical test, obstructing the legal process, possessing an open bottle of alcohol inside the vehicle, and… pic.twitter.com/6ITClKliVW
— Cultaholic Wrestling (@Cultaholic) May 28, 2026
More details on ex-WWE star Curtis Axel’s arrest
According to The Watch MN, at approximately 8:47 PM on May 17, 2026, officers from the St. Francis Police Department were dispatched to a property damage crash at the McDonald’s on Saint Francis Boulevard Northwest.
It was mentioned that officers, upon arriving at the scene, found a truck driven by Curtis Axel, slowly navigating the parking lot. Axel reportedly exhibited bloodshot, watery eyes, and slurred speech.
When instructed to step out of the vehicle, Hennig reportedly refused. Officers subsequently opened the door, reached inside to turn off the engine, and placed the keys on the passenger seat. After continued defiance, officers physically removed Hennig from the truck, escorted him to the ground, and handcuffed him. While seated in the squad car, an officer read him the Minnesota Breath Test Advisory. Hennig allegedly refused chemical testing and responded with profanities, including, “I don’t give a s***,” and “f*** you, you f*****.
During the investigation, a McDonald’s employee reported that Hennig had been mumbling in the drive-thru before pulling forward, swearing at staff, and backing into another vehicle. He then allegedly opened his door and yelled at the female driver, calling her a “b****” and a “p****.” An inventory search of his vehicle prior to towing yielded a 750 mL open bottle of Phillips vodka on the front passenger-side floorboard.
Stay tuned to TJR Wrestling for all the updates on the situation around Curtis Axel.
Make TJR Wrestling your choice for news by clicking here.