The former WWE star is facing multiple charges after a Minnesota arrest.
Summary
– Curtis Axel could face up to 364 days in jail on the most serious charge if convicted
– Joseph Hennig was arrested in Minnesota on May 17 and released two days later
– The case remains unresolved, and any outcome could change through court action or a plea deal
Former WWE star Curtis Axel is facing a legal case in Minnesota after being arrested earlier this month.
Axel, whose real name is Joseph Hennig, was arrested in Anoka County on May 17. Court records list multiple charges, including third-degree driving while impaired, based on an alleged refusal to submit to chemical testing.
That third-degree DWI charge is the most serious count currently listed. Under Minnesota law, it is a gross misdemeanor and can carry a maximum penalty of up to 364 days in jail, a fine of up to $3,000, or both if convicted as charged.
Hennig also faces misdemeanor charges tied to obstructing the legal process, possessing an open bottle of alcohol in a vehicle, and failing to stop after an accident involving property damage with no injury. Those charges carry lower maximum penalties if he is convicted.
The complaint alleges that the incident followed a property-damage crash at a McDonald’s in St. Francis, Minnesota. Officers claimed they later found Hennig slowly driving through the parking lot and showing signs of intoxication.
Police also alleged that Hennig refused to exit the vehicle before being removed, and later refused chemical testing after being read the Minnesota Breath Test Advisory. Officers also reported finding an open bottle of vodka during an inventory search before the vehicle was towed.
Hennig was released from jail on May 19. At this stage, there is no public indication that the case has been resolved or that a plea agreement has been entered.
The maximum penalties do not mean Hennig will receive that outcome. The case could change through a plea agreement, a reduced charge, dismissal of counts, or a later court ruling.
Hennig is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Curt Hennig and the grandson of Larry Hennig. He left WWE in 2020 after a long run that included the Curtis Axel character and a reign as Intercontinental Champion.
