Update on Ludwig Kaiser’s motion to continue traveling for WWE
It sounds likely that Ludwig Kaiser will be legally allowed to continue traveling for WWE amid his ongoing case.
Court records show that Kaiser’s attorney has filed a supplemental version of his motion to allow out of state and international travel. In this updated document, it’s noted that Kaiser’s counsel has communicated with the assistant state attorney — and the state will not be objecting to the motion:
- Since the initial filing of the Motion to Travel, undersigned counsel communicated with Assistant State Attorney Shaylynne Kotch, who indicated no objection to this motion.
- WHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, the Defendant respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter an Order allowing him to travel out of the State of Florida and internationally.
Kaiser has a huge match coming up in Mexico on May 30, where he (as El Grande Americano) is scheduled to face Original El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) in a mask vs. mask match. It’s set for AAA Noche de Los Grandes and is intended to be the culmination of their heated feud.
Details of Ludwig Kaiser battery arrest —
The 35-year-old Kaiser (Marcel Barthel) was arrested this week on a misdemeanor battery charge relating to an April 24 incident involving another male resident at his Orlando, Florida apartment complex. The alleged victim says Kaiser and a female were acting “uncontrollably intimate” by aggressively kissing in an elevator. The victim says he told them to “please have some manners” after exiting the elevator, which led to an attack where the victim was punched multiple times and pushed to the ground. Kaiser was identified as a suspect after police reviewed security footage. The victim then “immediately” identified Kaiser out of a photographic lineup of six individuals.
After learning of a warrant for his arrest the prior day, Kaiser turned himself in on May 20. He posted a $1,000 bond, with court records listing Kaiser’s friend and fellow WWE star Gunther (Walter Hahn) as the depositor.
There has been no comment from WWE or any word on if Kaiser will be facing punishment internally.
Kaiser’s full motion to allow out of state and international travel can be read below. Records do not show that an official determination has been made yet.
- The Defendant, MARCEL BARTHEL, by and through his undersigned attorney, hereby moves this Honorable Court to enter an Order allowing him to travel out of the State of Florida and internationally, and as grounds therefore states as follows:
- On May 19, 2026, the Defendant, Marcel Barthel, became aware of a warrant for his arrest for allegedly assaulting another resident of his apartment complex in downtown Orlando, approximately one month ago. At the time he learned of the warrant, Mr. Barthel was in Mexico for work purposes and immediately made plans to travel back to Orlando to deal with the warrant.
- Mr. Barthel traveled back to Orlando on May 20 and turned himself into the Orange County Jail. He was released after posting a $1,000 bond, with conditions that he have no contact with the complaining witness.
- 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.
- Since the initial filing of the Motion to Travel, undersigned counsel communicated with Assistant State Attorney Shaylynne Kotch, who indicated no objection to this motion.
- WHEREFORE, for the foregoing reasons, the Defendant respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter an Order allowing him to travel out of the State of Florida and internationally.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.