WWE star Ludwig Kaiser and his defense team hit a snag on their latest attempt to dismiss a battery case against the pro wrestler.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Kaiser remains involved in a legal case stemming from an alleged altercation inside an Orlando elevator earlier this year.
Kaiser, whose real name is Marcel Barthel, is facing a misdemeanor battery charge related to an April 23 incident in Orlando, Florida.
According to an affidavit, Richard Reap accused Kaiser of punching him multiple times after Reap encountered Kaiser and his partner, Andrea Bazarte, inside an elevator.
The alleged victim in the battery case reportedly told police that Kaiser and Bazarte "aggressively" kissed in the elevator. The neighbor reportedly asked them to "please have some manners."
Kaiser and his defense team tell a different story, however. The WWE star claims he was hugging Bazarte when Reap began shouting at them. Kaiser claims that Reap threatened to call ICE agents on Bazarte.
The two accounts differ significantly over what happened next. Reap alleges Kaiser repeatedly punched and pushed him, while Kaiser's defense says he only pushed Reap after the alleged threat and that Reap then threw a soft-drink bottle. The defense claims no punches were thrown.
WWE Star Posts Bail, Wins Championship
The 36-year-old wrestler turned himself into Orange County Jail on May 20. He was released the same day after WWE star Gunther posted his $1000 bail.
Kaiser has since returned to in-ring competition. Under his El Grande Americano persona, Kaiser captured the AA Mega Championship last month at Triplemania 34.
However, his legal battles continue outside the ring.
According to Fightful, citing court records, Kaiser's motion to dismiss the case under Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law, which he filed back in July, was denied during a hearing on Monday. The outlet reported a pre-trial conference is set for December 17.
With "Stand Your Ground Law," Florida law states that a person can use force in self-defense, or in defense of another, if they reasonably believe it necessary to avoid the other person's "imminent use of unlawful force."
Kaiser was accompanied by his girlfriend during the incident.
Kaiser has been cleared to compete and travel internationally in the meantime.
The AAA Mega Champion joined NXT in 2018. He made his main roster WWE debut in 2022.
