Former WWE star Curtis Axel, real name Joseph Hennig, was arrested earlier this month in Anoka County, Minnesota and charged with multiple offenses tied to an alleged DUI incident.
According to court records obtained by Ringside News, the 46-year-old third-generation wrestler was arrested on May 17 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 failing to stop after an accident involving property damage. Records also indicate Hennig remained in custody for two days before being released from jail on May 19.
Hennig comes from one of wrestling’s most famous family bloodlines as the son of WWE Hall of Famer Curt “Mr. Perfect” Hennig and grandson of wrestling legend Larry “The Axe” Hennig.
During his WWE career, Curtis Axel held both the Intercontinental Championship and WWE Tag Team Championship while spending over a decade with the company. He was also paired with Paul Heyman during one of the more prominent runs of his career before later becoming part of The B-Team alongside Bo Dallas.
Hennig departed WWE in 2020 and has stayed mostly out of the wrestling spotlight ever since. Since his release, he has only wrestled one known match, appearing at an independent wrestling event in 2025.
The arrest marks a serious development involving the former WWE talent after years of largely remaining away from public wrestling activity.
What do you think about Curtis Axel’s arrest and his absence from wrestling since leaving WWE? Let us know in the comments and leave your feedback.
