WWE talent Ludwig Kaiser, whose real name is Marcel Barthel, was arrested on May 20 on a charge of battery in Orange County, Florida.
Barthel posted the $1,000 bond, according to an arrest warrant from the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Court in Orange County. A return court date, which will be presided over by Judge Jeramy C. Beasley, was not made official.
Officer Victor Cortes offered a sworn affidavit detailing the misdemeanor battery charge from April 23.
According to the affidavit, Cortes responded to a complaint from Richard Reap at Paramount on Lake Eola in Orlando. Reap alleged that at 6:30 p.m. ET, he entered an elevator and was followed by a male, who is suspected to be Barthel, and an unknown female. Reap claimed that the white male and the unknown white female began acting in an “uncontrollably intimate” manner, which was described as aggressively kissing.
After reaching the 12th floor, Reap said he told the couple to “please have some manners.” Reap alleged that the male attacked him after making the statement. Reap claimed the male punched him multiple times and pushed him to the ground, while also stating that the male made additional threats of violence.
Officer Cortes testified that he observed a large, fresh scratch on the back of Reap’s head, along with redness, which he believed was consistent with a physical altercation. Officer Benavides assisted with the incident and reviewed surveillance footage from the 12th floor, observing a white male punching and pushing Reap outside of the elevator at around the same time as reported.
Officers Benavides and Cortes identified Barthel as the possible suspect who matched the description observed in the surveillance footage. Barthel is a current resident of the apartment complex.
Reap was later shown a lineup of photos, including Barthel. The photos were said to be in black and white and of similar appearance, and Reap identified Barthel as the person who battered him.
On Thursday morning, Barthel waived his appearance for purposes of Arraignment and entered a not-guilty plea.
Barthel also filed a request to allow out-of-state and international travel. The motion claimed that Barthel was only aware of the warrant while in Mexico on work and planned to travel to Orlando to address it by posting the $1,000. The motion highlighted that Barthel is an international performer who needs to travel outside of Florida and has no criminal record.
Barthel performs as El Grande Americano and is scheduled for a Mask vs. Mask match with Chad Gable on May 30 at AAA’s Noche De Los Grandes in Monterrey, Mexico.
WWE has not commented on Barthel’s arrest.
Reporting contributed by POST Wrestling’s and Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston.
