Ludwig Kaiser's WWE Arrest Scandal Just Keeps Getting Crazier... (WWE News)
New details on Ludwig Kaiser's recent arrest.
Ahead of the big El Grande Americano vs. El Grande Americano match this weekend, there are now some details on the recent arrest of WWE's Ludwig Kaiser.
For those who may have missed it, Kaiser - real name Marcel Barthel - was arrested in Orange County, Florida on May 20th for a battery charge, with a $1,000 bond paid. Since then, the victim of this attack has been identified as Richard Reap, a neighbour of the WWE star's, with an affidavit stating that Reap alleges he was assaulted outside an elevator by Kaiser in April after telling the wrestler and a female companion - believed to be his girlfriend, Andrea Bazarte - to "please have some manners" when they became "uncontrolably intimate" in that elevator. That was followed by a report from Raj Giri that Kaiser and his friend were affectionate, "but nothing crazy or out of the ordinary", and that Reap shouted something to the effect of, "You need to show some f**king respect before I call ICE on that b**ch," which led to a physical altercation.
In an update on this situation, Fightful Select has spoken to a number of WWE sources who believe that the story about Ludwig Kaiser defending himself and Andrea Bazarte after ICE comments is a story planted within WWE. The outlet notes that an unfamiliar number reached out to several members of the pro wrestling media with this story, rather than Kaiser, Bazarte, or WWE staff reaching out with this information.
Those who Fightful have spoken to in WWE expect the charges against Kaiser to eventually be dismissed, and the talent isn't said to have any heat within the company. WWE was also given the details of this incident on the night of the arrest. In regard to the feeling amongst WWE talent, the general reaction has been one of disbelief at the narrative of this situation being a "defense," and that Ludwig should have simply removed himself from the situation.
Since his arrest, Ludwig Kaiser has been cleared by a judge for travel, as seen by him appearing for AAA this past weekend, and he's not expected to miss any upcoming dates, such as the hotly anticipated Mask vs. Mask match between El Grande Americano and Original El Grande Americano this Saturday.