Ludwig Kaiser’s misdemeanor battery case will continue after a judge rejected the WWE star’s request to have the charge dismissed.

Court records list the motion as “denied” following a hearing on October 19. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for December 17, 2026, when the two sides will discuss a possible resolution or whether the case will proceed to trial. The ruling does not determine Kaiser’s guilt.

Kaiser’s defence sought dismissal under Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. His lawyers argued that he reasonably believed the force he used against Richard Reap was necessary to protect himself and his girlfriend, Andre Bazarte, from “imminent use of unlawful force.”

The charge relates to an April confrontation at the Orlando apartment complex where Kaiser and Reap lived. Both agree that Kaiser and Bazarte were showing affection in an elevator, but they offer different accounts of what happened next.

Reap alleges that he asked the couple to “please have some manners” before Kaiser attacked him.

Kaiser disputes that account. He says Reap swore at both of them and made a racist remark about calling ICE on Bazarte. Kaiser acknowledges pushing Reap but maintains that he acted only after Reap approached him aggressively.

According to Kaiser, Reap then threw a soft drink bottle at him. Kaiser says he did not retaliate and left with Bazarte to prevent the confrontation from escalating.

Court records show that both Kaiser and Reap testified at the October 19 hearing. Bazarte was also added to the defence witness list, although it is unclear whether she gave evidence.

The state submitted a CD and four photographs. The report suggests these may have contained elevator surveillance footage and images of Reap, although their contents were not confirmed.

According to the original arrest report, police reviewed surveillance footage and said it showed Reap being punched and pushed. Officers also reported seeing a scratch on his head.

Reap has separately retained a personal injury attorney, raising the possibility of a civil lawsuit. That does not confirm that a civil claim has been filed.

The ongoing case comes during a prominent period in Kaiser’s wrestling career. His work as El Grande Americano in Lucha Libre AAA has earned praise, and he currently holds the AAA Mega Championship.

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