Ludwig Kaiser’s Florida battery case just took a major turn, because a new version of the alleged elevator confrontation claims the fight may have started after someone threatened to call ICE on Kaiser’s girlfriend.
First shared by journalist Raj Giri, paints a dramatically different picture from the version included in the arrest warrant previously obtained by Ringside News. According to Giri, Kaiser — whose real name is Marcel Barthel — was inside the elevator at the Paramount on Lake Eola Apartments in Orlando with his girlfriend, Andrea Bazarte, on the night of the alleged incident. Bazarte works as an on-screen personality tied to WWE’s Spanish-language coverage and AAA programming.
Per Giri’s account, Kaiser and Bazarte were being affectionate inside the elevator, but nothing beyond normal behavior. The update claims the complainant, identified in court documents as Richard Reap, remained silent during the elevator ride itself.
According to Giri, the situation escalated only after everyone exited onto the 12th floor, when Reap allegedly directed an ICE-related threat toward Bazarte. Giri claims the comment was:
“You need to show some f—in’ respect before I call ICE on that b—h.”
Kaiser then exited the elevator and the two men got into a scuffle. Giri also claimed that no punches were thrown during the confrontation. That version sharply conflicts with the arrest warrant obtained by Ringside News.
According to the affidavit, Reap told investigators Kaiser and the woman inside the elevator were acting in what he described as an overly intimate manner. The warrant states Reap described the behavior as:
“uncontrollably intimate”
The affidavit also states Reap told police he confronted the couple after exiting the elevator. According to the warrant, Reap said:
“please have some manners.”
The arrest warrant alleges Kaiser responded by punching Reap multiple times, pushing him to the ground, and threatening additional violence. Police also documented a scratch on the back of Reap’s head and redness consistent with a recent altercation.
Bazarte has become a central figure in Kaiser’s ongoing El Grande Americano storyline across WWE and AAA programming. She works as an interviewer and on-screen personality connected to WWE’s Spanish-language content and AAA appearances.
Her relationship with Kaiser also drew attention among wrestling fans after the WWE star began dating Bazarte following his split from Tiffany Stratton. Kaiser and Stratton had previously been one of WWE’s more visible real-life couples before quietly going their separate ways.
As noted previously, Ringside News obtained records showing Kaiser turned himself in on May 20 after learning an active arrest warrant had been issued against him. He later posted $1,000 bond and has since entered a written plea of not guilty while fighting the charge in court.
The legal situation has already started spilling into Kaiser’s wrestling schedule as well. AAA recently canceled a planned “Serenata para El Grande Americano” appearance in Mexico City connected to Kaiser’s El Grande Americano character. Ringside News also obtained court filings showing Kaiser is currently seeking permission for out-of-state and international travel while the battery case remains active.
Kaiser is still advertised for AAA Noche de los Grandes on May 30, where he is scheduled to face Chad Gable in a Mask vs. Mask match tied to the El Grande Americano storyline. Neither WWE nor AAA has publicly commented on the arrest, the ICE-related claim, or Kaiser’s status moving forward.
The newest version of events now puts the alleged ICE threat at the center of the confrontation, creating a completely different narrative from the one included in the police affidavit. With two conflicting accounts now circulating publicly, attention will likely remain locked on whether surveillance footage, witness testimony, or future court proceedings reveal more about what actually happened inside — and outside — that elevator.
Do you think this new allegation changes how fans should view Ludwig Kaiser’s arrest situation, or do you think the original police version still carries more weight? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback in the comments.
