Ludwig Kaiser is pushing back against the battery charge tied to his Florida arrest, because new court records show the WWE star has entered a not guilty plea as the case moves deeper into the legal process.
Fresh Orange County court updates reveal Kaiser — whose real name is Marcel Barthel — filed a written plea of not guilty connected to his misdemeanor battery case. The filing also shows he waived arraignment, meaning he will not have to appear in court for the standard hearing where charges are formally read before a judge. The updated court entry states:
“NOA, Written Plea of Not Guilty, Waiver of Arraignment”
Another filing entered into the case shows Kaiser’s legal team is now seeking discovery tied to the investigation. The court update states:
“Notice of Intent to Participate in Discovery”
That filing signals the defense intends to review evidence connected to the case, including police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, photographs, and other investigative materials.
The latest court developments come after documents obtained by Ringside News revealed Barthel turned himself in on May 20 after an active arrest warrant had been issued in Orange County, Florida. He was booked on a misdemeanor battery charge before later posting $1,000 bond.
The case stems from an alleged incident police say took place on April 23 at the Paramount on Lake Eola Apartments in Orlando. According to previously obtained court documents, police established probable cause after reviewing surveillance footage, documenting visible injuries, interviewing witnesses, and conducting a photo lineup identification.
By filing a written not guilty plea instead of appearing in person for arraignment, Kaiser’s legal team moved the case directly into the next stage of proceedings while contesting the charge.
As of this writing, WWE has not publicly commented on the case or addressed whether Kaiser’s television role could change moving forward.
The newest court filings do not resolve the case, but they do make it clear Kaiser intends to contest the charge as the legal process continues. With discovery now underway and the arraignment waived, attention will likely shift toward whether more evidence or additional court updates become public in the coming weeks.
Do you think WWE should continue using Ludwig Kaiser on television while he fights the battery charge, or should the company wait until the legal process plays out first? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback in the comments.