AJ Styles on Ludwig Kaiser incident: “If something were said that pissed him off enough to fight with someone, they deserved it”
WWE star Ludwig Kaiser aka El Grande Americano, whose real name is Marcel Barthel, was arrested on May 20th 2026 in Orange County, Florida. Barthel was charged with battery after allegedly assaulting a man at their apartment building. There is an unverified claim that the man threatened to “call ICE” on Kaiser’s girlfriend.
While speaking on his podcast, AJ Styles addressed the incident…
“Listen, I know Ludwig Kaiser well — very well. And if something were said that pissed him off enough to fight with someone, they deserved it. That’s all I’m going to say.
I can’t speak on exactly what happened, but come on, we’re not stupid. This guy wouldn’t risk going to jail over something as petty as, ‘Oh, I wish you would mind your manners.’ Shut the freak up. I don’t believe that for one second.
Besides, man up and just sit there until you get to your little room if it was in the elevator. I’m not sure. That’s the way I understood the stories. Just freaking leave and mind your own business.
Sounds like you’re pretty jealous to me.
Again, I don’t know the whole story. If there were kids in there and they were all over the place, that would be different, but I don’t think that’s the case at all.
So listen, I’m going to be on my buddy’s side. I believe that this guy got what was coming to him. He [Kaiser] is the definition of a class act.”