WWE Turns 5-Time Champion Babyface
A top WWE star has quietly turned babyface recently.
Last year, Chad Gable took a trip to Mexico to learn and understand the lucha libre culture. When he returned, he started sporting a mask and called himself El Grande Americano. He continued to feud with Rey Mysterio and other luchadors. While it was clear it was him beneath the mask, Gable denied that he was Americano.
Just as this character was starting to take off, Chad Gable suffered an injury and had to be sidelined. Instead, Ludwig Kaiser took on the role of El Grande Americano. He even added Bravo and Rayo Americano to form a stable. However, Chad Gable returned from his injury at the 2026 Royal Rumble as the Original El Grande Americano. Since then, both Americanos have been involved in a long feud. This rivalry spilled over into AAA, where both stars competed in a brutal mask vs. mask match at AAA Noche de Los Grandes. These two stars delivered a critically acclaimed match. However, it was El Grande Americano who emerged victorious. After the bout, Chad Gable unmasked himself and cut an emotional promo, promising to return to AAA in the future. Chad Gable made an appearance on SmackDown this week and even apologized to Rey Fenix for mocking the lucha libre culture over a year ago. It appeared that he was now a babyface.
According to a report from Fightful, there are plans for Chad Gable to return to AAA in the future. However, he will compete as a babyface on SmackDown for now.
Chad Gable is back on SmackDown and the crowd in Italy erupts.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Sw7TYecPZF
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) June 5, 2026
Mark Henry believes Chad Gable could be pushed in WWE due to his time in AAA
The Original El Grande Americano vs. El Grande Americano was one of the best feuds in all of professional wrestling this year. This feud put Chad Gable and Ludwig Kaiser on the map due to their performances.
Speaking on Busted Open After Dark, Mark Henry said that Chad Gable could go from Grande Americano to receiving the same level of respect as Kurt Angle. He also noted that Gable is entertaining and good in the ring. Therefore, his size shouldn’t matter.
“I’ve seen a lot of guys that they tried to force it on. The Rock is pretty much the only guy that I’ve ever seen them try to force it on and he still flipped it, changed it and became one of the best that ever was. It’s a hard thing to do, to change the perception of the fans. A lot of people have done it, but I mean at the highest, highest level. I think that Chad Gable has the ability now to go from Grande Americano to Kurt Angle type of respect. Because he deserves it. That dude is an Olympian, he’s entertaining, size don’t matter with him. Size didn’t matter with (Chris) Benoit, it didn’t matter with Rey Mysterio, it didn’t matter with Eddie Guerrero, it’s irrelevant when you’re good. Chad Gable is good good.” (H/T Wrestletalk)
It will be interesting to see what’s next for Chad Gable in WWE.
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