Curtis Axel Arrested Over DWI Incident At McDonald's Drive-Thru

Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel - real name Joseph Hennig - was arrested on May 17 on several charges following an incident at a McDonald's drive-thru.

According to the police report obtained by The Watch MN, Hennig has been charged with DUI driving while impaired, DWI refusing to submit to a chemical test, disorderly conduct, obstructing legal process, failing to stop for an accident, and having an open bottle of alcohol in his car.

Axel was arrested in Anoka County, Minnesota after police officers were dispatched to a McDonald's in St. Francis shortly before 9 pm local time after a property damage crash where a vehicle backed into another automobile in the drive-thru. Police discovered Axel slowly driving around the car park and, upon speaking to him, they noticed a strong smell of alcohol, while Axel had slurred speech and bloodshot and watery eyes. A 750 ml open bottle of Phillips vodka was found in the automobile.

Police instructed Axel to exit the vehicle but he did not do so and had to be physically removed from the automobile, at which point he was taken to the ground and handcuffed. After being placed in the police car, Axel allegedly refused chemical testing and responded with profanities, which included, "I don't give a sh*t" and "f*ck you, you f*cker."

A McDonald's employee noted to police that Axel had been mumbling in the drive-thru before he pulled forward, swore at staff, and backed into another vehicle. Axel then allegedly opened his door and yelled at the female driver he had allegedly just backed into, calling her a "b*tch" and a "p****." Axel was released from jail on May 19.

Minnesota court records note Joseph Hennig has suffered from multiple legal issues in recent years. In August 2024, American Express received a judgement of $21,357.94 against Hennig for money owed on a credit card. A writ of execution was granted in June 2025 but was returned when Hennig made a partial payment towards the debt of $5,936.79. A second writ of execution was granted in April 2026, however, and there remains an outstanding amount of $16,774.26.

Another judgement from the Estates of Silver Oaks Association, a housing estate in Minnesota, was granted against Hennig and his wife Brooke Hennig in early 2025 for $4,989.40. The case was closed as of January 2026, according to court records.

Curtis Axel previously wrestled for WWE from 2007 until 2020, initially wrestling as Michael McGillicutty before he was repackaged as Curtis Axel in 2013. The name change coincided with a push for Axel which saw him paired with Paul Heyman and win the Intercontinental Championship, while he also defeated Triple H. The push was quickly dropped and Axel was utilised as an undercard talent until his release.

Axel returned to WWE in April 2022 as a producer on a probationary basis but he would exit the company in July of that year. Axel has only wrestled once since his WWE release, teaming with Cal Bloom (Von Wagner) against The Gentlemenn's Club at a Midwest All-Star Wrestling show in May 2025.