WWE & AAA Superstar Ludwig Kaiser aka El Grande Americano, whose real name is Marcel Barthel, was arrested in Orlando, Florida on May 20th, 2026, following an alleged fight at his apartment complex.
Police were called to the Paramount on Lake Eola Apartments in Orlando around 6:37 PM after a neighbor, Richard Reap, reported being attacked outside a 12th-floor elevator.
According to police documents, the trouble started inside the elevator when Reap noticed Barthel and a woman acting “uncontrollably intimate” and aggressively kissing. When the elevator stopped, Reap got out and told the couple to “please have some manners,” which allegedly triggered the physical attack.
Reap told officers that Barthel immediately punched him multiple times, threw him to the ground, and threatened him. Responding officers noticed a fresh scratch and redness on the back of Reap’s head, which matched his story. Investigators then checked the building’s security cameras, which showed a man matching Barthel’s description attacking Reap. To confirm the suspect’s identity, police set up a photo lineup later that night, and Reap immediately picked out Barthel from the pictures.
Barthel, who lives in the building, was charged with battery and taken to the Orange County jail. He was released later that night at 11:20 PM after posting a $1,000 bond. The arrest documents noted that no weapons or alcohol were involved in the incident.
As part of his release, Barthel is banned from contacting Reap or any witnesses, and he was only allowed to go back to his apartment once under police supervision to grab his things.
While the woman’s identity is not confirmed at that point, Ludwig is in a relationship with WWE Spanish Host Andrea Bazarte.
