The action got a little bit too real outside of the ring for one WWE star.
Marcel Barthel, who portrays the characters Ludwig Kaiser and El Grande Americano for the professional wrestling company, was arrested Wednesday and charged with misdemeanour battery after an alleged incident last month.
Barthel is accused of assaulting a man who had told the German native to “have some manners” after the wrestler and a woman were “uncontrollably intimate” in an elevator.
Barthel and the woman allegedly had been “aggressively” kissing while in the presence of the man, Richard Reap.
According to the warrant for Barthel’s arrest, “as the elevator ascended, the male and female began acting in an ‘uncontrollably intimate’ manner, which he described as aggressively kissing.
“Reap stated that once the elevator reached the 12th floor, he exited the elevator and told the couple to ‘please have some manners.’
“Reap advised that immediately after making the statement, the unknown male began attacking him.”
Barthel allegedly punched Reap multiple times and pushed him to the ground, which allegedly was caught on surveillance footage.
The WWE star has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Who was the woman involved?
While it is unclear who the woman involved in the incident is, Barthel reportedly has been dating WWE host Andrea Bazarte, but it’s uncertain if they are still together.
He previously had been in a relationship with former WWE women’s champion Tiffany Stratton.
What’s the deal with Ludwig Kaiser?
Barthel signed with WWE in 2017 and largely has portrayed the character of Ludwig Kaiser, a henchman for Gunther.
However, he stepped into the semi-comedic role of El Grande Americano after an injury to Chad Gable, who originally played the “legendary” luchador character.
The switch turned out to be a hit, especially with fans of Mexican wrestling promotion AAA, which WWE recently purchased.
Kaiser and Gable are currently booked for a “mask vs. mask” match at an upcoming AAA show to settle their feud.
Will he still be able to compete in Mexico?
According to a report by PW Insider, attorneys for Barthel have filed a motion requesting he receive permission to travel freely despite his arrest.
The motion also notes that Barthel had been in Mexico when he learned of the arrest warrant and immediately flew to Orlando to turn himself in.