More details have emerged as it relates to the May 20, 2026 arrest of WWE Superstar Ludwig Kaiser (real name Marcel Barthel) in Orange County, Florida.
Kaiser, who has been wrestling under a mask as El Grande Americano, was arrested Wednesday in Orange County, Florida on battery charges.
PWInsider has published several details taken from the Orlando Police department’s affidavit on the arrest of Barthel.
It was noted that Barthel turned himself in, after a warrant was issued for his arrest.
According to an affidavit from Orlando Police, they responded to an apartment complex at approximately 6:37 PM local time on April 23, 2026 after reports of a physical altercation on the 12th floor of the building.
The complainant, identified as Richard Reap, told officers that he entered an elevator around 6:30 PM local time and encountered Barthel alongside an unidentified woman. Reap alleged Barthel and the woman where acting “uncontrollably intimate” while inside the elevator.
Reap then stated after exiting onto the 12th floor, he told Barthel and the woman to “please have some manners.” According to the Orlando PD affidavit, Reap then alleged that Barthel responded by punching him several times, pushing him down to the ground and threatening additional harm.
The responding officer noted that he observed a fresh scratch and redness on the back of Reap’s head, which police stated was consistent with a recent altercation.
The affidavit also states responding officers reviewed surveillance video from the 12th floor, as the video allegedly shows a white male punching and pushing Reap outside the elevator at the reported time of the incident. The footage at the present time has not been released.
Through their investigation, Orlando PD later identified Barthel as the suspect. The affidavit also states Reap identified Barthel in a six-person photographic lineup conducted later that evening.
Based on the investigation, Orlando PD determined that probable cause existed for a simple battery charge under Florida Statute 784.03(1)(A). The warrant further notes there were not allegations involving any weapons, firearms, intoxication, or a shared residency between the parties involved.
Barthel was reportedly ordered to have no contact with victims or witnesses and was granted one supervised return to the apartment accompanied by law enforcement.