It’s Official! WWE’s El Grande Americanos Set For Mask Vs. Mask Match
The feud between the two El Grande Americanos took a major turn after the latest AAA Lucha Libre taping.
At the beginning of 2025, Chad Gable went through a personal crisis in WWE, and following his loss to Penta on the latter’s debut, he set out on a quest to Mexico to learn about the lucha libre style of wrestling.
A couple of months later, he debuted his El Grande Americano gimmick, although his identity was never confirmed. Gable simultaneously wrestled in his original form to stave off any suspicions about him being the masked luchador.
As Americano, he even secured a WrestleMania win that year by defeating Rey Fenix, who replaced an injured Rey Mysterio, in a singles match.
The following month, he won the WWE Speed Championship when he beat Dragon Lee on the now-defunct Speed web series.
In June, Americano then began appearing in AAA Lucha Libre, where he challenged El Hijo del Vikingo for the Mega Championship at Worlds Collide, suffering a loss.
That same month, he sustained a legitimate shoulder injury. His injury was written as part of the storyline, which saw him get attacked by Penta during a backstage confrontation. Spotted lurking behind was Ludwig Kaiser, who had been off TV for several weeks.
Ludwig Kaiser Took Over As WWE’s El Grande Americano
In late June, fans began seeing El Grande Americano on TV again, although he was taller and his physique was much leaner as compared to Chad Gable.
Reports later confirmed the luchador’s identity as Ludwig Kaiser. Unlike Gable, Kaiser never reverted to his original gimmick as the Imperium stable had been disbanded.
Kaiser’s Americano also took over as the WWE Speed Champion, despite never winning the title himself. He also became a regular on AAA Lucha Libre, competing as a babyface as opposed to his heel gimmick in the Stamford promotion.
At the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble, Gable returned from his injury and was repackaged as the ‘Original’ El Grande Americano. He managed to eliminate his successor before being eliminated by Trick Williams.
Ever since, the two masked wrestlers have been feuding in both WWE and AAA. While El Grande Americano is a heel in the Stamford promotion and a babyface in AAA, the ‘Original’ El Grande Americano is his mirror opposite.
Mask Vs. Mask Match Set Between El Grande Americanos
On the April 11, 2026, episode of AAA Lucha Libre on FOX, the ‘Original’ El Grande Americano faced Octagon Jr., whom he unmasked before forcing him to tap out to the ankle lock submission.
Americano then attacked comedian Alexis Arroyo at ringside before clutching on to Octagon’ Jr.’s ankle again. El Grande Americano’s real-life girlfriend, Andrea Bazarte, slapped him so he would release the hold. Gable, instead, charged towards her, but was stopped by Kaiser, with a fight ensuing between the two.
The brawl spiraled to the ringside and then into the ring following the evening’s main event. Kaiser’s Americano then issued a challenge, daring ‘Original’ to put their masks on the line.