Joe Hennig, the former WWE wrestler best known to fans as Curtis Axel, has reached a plea agreement in connection with his DWI case stemming from a May arrest in Minnesota.
Hennig pleaded guilty on August 24 to misdemeanor counts of driving while impaired and disorderly conduct. The resolution brings the criminal case closer to an end after an incident at a McDonald's drive-thru that led to his arrest on May 17. Other allegations filed in the case, including a charge of interfering with a peace officer and a charge related to refusing chemical testing, were dismissed as part of the plea arrangement.
The former WWE star received a 90-day sentence, but he was credited with three days already served. The remaining 87 days were stayed, meaning he will not serve that additional jail time if he complies with the court's terms. Hennig is set to be on supervised probation for one year. The probation could later be converted to unsupervised status if he maintains good behavior and fulfills the required conditions.
He has already completed a required assessment and course. Hennig will also be required to pay a $50 fine in addition to meeting the terms of his probation.
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Details of the May Arrest
The arrest followed a reported collision in a McDonald's drive-thru. Hennig was alleged to have backed into another vehicle while at the restaurant. When officers arrived at the scene, they reported that he smelled strongly of alcohol and that an open bottle of vodka was found in his vehicle.
Police also alleged that Hennig needed to be forcibly removed from the vehicle. Officers reportedly reached into the truck to turn it off. Initial accounts of the incident further alleged that he directed profanity and a slur toward officers, while also swearing at McDonald's employees and the other driver involved in the drive-thru collision.
The guilty pleas apply specifically to the misdemeanor DWI and disorderly conduct counts. The dismissal of the other charges is an important distinction in evaluating the final legal outcome. A plea agreement resolves the charges to which a defendant enters a plea, while dismissed counts are no longer being pursued under the terms of that resolution.
With the bulk of the custodial sentence stayed, the next year will be central to Hennig's case. If he follows the conditions imposed by the court, no further jail time will be required from the stayed portion of the sentence. Conversely, probation terms carry obligations, and violations can have consequences. The possibility of moving from supervised to unsupervised probation gives Hennig an incentive to complete the period without further issues.
A Difficult Development for a Second-Generation Wrestler
Hennig is one of the most recognizable second-generation names of his era. He is the son of the late Curt Hennig, the celebrated “Mr. Perfect,” whose WWE career and broader wrestling legacy made the Hennig name synonymous with technical skill, charisma, and enduring popularity.
Joe Hennig entered WWE with substantial expectations because of that family history, but he spent years creating an identity of his own. Before becoming Curtis Axel on WWE television, he worked under the name Michael McGillicutty. That period included an association with The Nexus and helped establish him as a regular presence on WWE programming, even as he worked to step out of the shadow of his father's famous persona.
The Curtis Axel character became his most prominent WWE identity. The name itself carried personal significance, combining references to Curt Hennig and Joe's grandfather, Larry “The Axe” Hennig. Axel was presented as a wrestler with elite lineage and was aligned with Paul Heyman during a notable stretch of his run.
During that period, he captured the WWE Intercontinental Championship, a title with particular significance to the Hennig family. Curt Hennig was also a celebrated Intercontinental Champion, making Joe's reign a meaningful career milestone beyond the title itself. Axel later held the WWE Tag Team Championship alongside Bo Dallas as part of The B-Team.
His WWE tenure featured several reinventions, alliances, and character changes. While he did not ultimately become a consistent main-event fixture, his longevity in a difficult environment reflected his value as a dependable performer. He worked in singles competition, tag teams, stables, comedic segments, and more serious roles during his time on the roster.
Hennig Has Kept a Low Profile Since WWE Release
Hennig was released by WWE in 2022, ending his second stint with the company. He had been working backstage as a producer before that departure. Since leaving WWE, he has largely remained out of the public eye, making the legal case an unwelcome reason for his name to return to wrestling headlines.
For wrestlers who move into backstage positions, the transition can be an opportunity to remain involved in the industry while applying years of in-ring experience in a different capacity. Hennig had a deep understanding of WWE's television structure and performance demands after spending years in its system. His release nevertheless put his next career move outside the company into question.
There is no indication in the case resolution that it relates to a new wrestling role, a potential return to WWE, or work with another promotion. The matter remains a legal and personal development rather than a storyline or professional wrestling announcement. With the plea agreement now in place, Hennig's focus will be on satisfying the court's probation requirements over the coming year.
The case also serves as a reminder that public recognition does not insulate wrestlers from real-world accountability. Wrestling fans may know Hennig through the Curtis Axel name, championship accomplishments, and his place in a famous family, but the court proceedings concern Joe Hennig as an individual and have been handled through the legal system.
What the Plea Agreement Means Going Forward
Hennig's plea means there is now a defined path forward rather than the uncertainty of unresolved charges. He has admitted guilt to two misdemeanor offenses, received a sentence with most jail time stayed, and begun a probationary period with specified responsibilities. His completion of the assessment and course ahead of the resolution represents a step already taken toward meeting those responsibilities.
The one-year probation period is the key remaining element. Good behavior and compliance can allow Hennig to avoid serving the stayed 87 days and may result in his probation becoming unsupervised. The agreement does not erase the seriousness of the incident, but it establishes the conditions under which he can complete his sentence without returning to custody.
For now, Hennig's wrestling future remains unknown. His name will always carry the connection to Curt Hennig and the broader Hennig wrestling legacy, while his own career included major WWE moments as Curtis Axel. The immediate priority, however, is no longer an in-ring program or backstage assignment. It is successfully completing the terms of the plea agreement and probation following the Minnesota DWI case.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.