New details have emerged on the Ludwig Kaiser arrest in Orange County, Florida, with the affidavit revealing the alleged incident occurred on April 24 at the Orlando apartment complex where Kaiser lives, following an elevator confrontation with a fellow resident. Kaiser has since entered a not guilty plea to the battery charge and is seeking permission to continue traveling for WWE.
According to arrest records, the April 24 incident occurred at Kaiser’s downtown Orlando apartment building. The alleged victim, identified in the affidavit as a fellow male resident of the same building, accused Kaiser of attacking him outside of an elevator on the 12th floor after a verbal exchange about Kaiser and a female companion’s behavior inside the elevator.
The affidavit stated: “The victim stated he was battered by an unknown white male just outside the elevator on the 12th floor. The victim advised that at approximately 1830 hours, he entered the elevator and was followed by an unknown white male and an unknown white female. The victim stated that as the elevator ascended, the male and female began acting in an ‘uncontrollably intimate’ manner, which he described as aggressively kissing.”
The victim said the verbal exchange occurred when the elevator reached the 12th floor.
“The victim stated that once the elevator reached the 12th floor, he exited the elevator and told the couple to ‘please have some manners.’ The victim advised that immediately after making the statement, the unknown male began attacking him. The victim described the attack as the male punching him multiple times and pushing him to the ground. The victim further stated the male made threats of additional violence toward him.”
A responding officer observed a “large, fresh scratch” on the victim’s head and redness in the same area. Security footage was obtained showing a white male punching and pushing the victim outside of the elevator. Kaiser was identified as a possible suspect, and the victim immediately pointed to him as the attacker when presented with a photographic lineup of six individuals.
Per the bond terms, he cannot have contact with the victim, cannot possess a firearm, cannot consume alcohol to intoxication, and cannot possess drug paraphernalia or controlled substances unless prescribed. He must maintain a separate residence from the victim, which would require relocation, as the alleged incident occurred at Kaiser’s primary residence.
Kaiser was in Mexico for WWE-AAA programming on May 19 when he became aware of the arrest warrant. He returned to Orlando the next day to turn himself in and was released on $1,000 bond. His attorneys have filed a motion seeking permission for him to continue traveling for WWE work, both domestically and internationally.
The motion to travel reads: “Mr. Barthel is an international performer who is required to travel throughout the United States and around the world to remain employed. His primary residence is the apartment complex in downtown Orlando where the alleged incident occurred. Mr. Barthel has no prior criminal history anywhere in the world and is not a danger to others. He maintains his innocence and has retained undersigned counsel to assist him in this matter. He has every intention of appearing at all required court appearances related to these allegations.”
The court has not yet ruled on the motion to travel. Kaiser is scheduled for AAA Noche de los Grandes on Saturday, May 30, where his El Grande Americano character defends the AAA Mega Championship against Chad Gable’s “Original El Grande Americano” in a mask vs mask match.
WWE has not commented publicly on the arrest.
