ICE Version Of Ludwig Kaiser/El Grande Americano's Arrest Believed To Be Planted Story

A differing version of events related to Ludwig Kaiser/El Grande Americano's arrest appears to have been a planted story.

Kaiser - real name Marcel Barthel - was arrested on May 20 on one charge of battery over an incident on April 23 outside of an elevator within the apartment complex where Barthel lives in Orlando, Florida. The police report about the incident noted Kaiser and his partner were allegedly "acting in an 'uncontrollably intimate' manner," described as aggressive kissing, while the complainant was in the elevator with them. When the complainant exited the elevator, he told the couple to "please have some manners." At this point, Kaiser allegedly attacked the complainant, punching him multiple times and pushing him to the ground before Kaiser threatened further violence. CCTV footage also showed that Kaiser punched and pushed the complainant outside of the elevator.

A different account of the incident was made public by Wrestling Inc. founder Raj Giri, though, who claimed that he was told that Marcel Barthel and his partner, AAA interviewer Andrea Bazarte, were being affectionate in the elevator and when the complainant made his exit, he told Barthel something to the effect of, "You need to show some f'n respect before I call ICE on that b**ch."

"This is what I heard regarding the Ludwig Kaiser situation. He was in the apartment elevator with Andrea Bazarte and they were being affectionate, but nothing crazy or out of the ordinary. [Complainant] allegedly didn’t say anything in the elevator but once he got out on the 12th floor, he allegedly said something to Kaiser to the effect of 'you need to show some f'n respect before I call ICE on that b**ch.' Kaiser got out of the elevator and they had a little scuffle, but no punches were apparently thrown," Giri tweeted.

In an update, however, Fightful Select has reported that a number of sources within WWE believe the version of events of Barthel defending himself and Andrea Bazarte from ICE comments was planted within the company. As opposed to Kaiser, Bazarte, or a member of WWE's team reaching out to members of the media, it was an unfamiliar phone number that did so.

Some WWE talent were reportedly in disbelief about the narrative of the battery charge being a "defence" and they said Kaiser should have simply removed himself from the situation.

Fightful noted the reaction within WWE to the incident was they expect the battery charge to eventually be dismissed. Kaiser doesn't have any heat within the company among those Fightful spoke to, and the organisation was told the details of what happened by the time of Kaiser's arrest.

Marcel Barthel pleaded not guilty to the battery charge on May 21 and filed a motion to allow out-of-state and international travel. Orange County judge Andrew Cameron granted Kaiser's motion to travel outside of Florida and internationally. The ruling, however, noted Kaiser must appear in person for all future court dates and continue to abide by the previous conditions of his bond, which includes not having any contact with the alleged victim, not becoming intoxicated, and not using any drugs unless prescribed by a doctor.

Marcel Barthel is set to headline AAA Noche de los Grandes on May 30 in an El Grande Americano vs. Original El Grande Americano Mask vs. Mask Match.