Backstage Notes on Creative Direction of Chad Gable as Original El Grande Americano

When Chad Gable first started appearing under his masked luchador alter-ego, El Grande Americano, he would appear as both characters on WWE programming. However, since his in-ring return as the “Original” El Grande Americano, Gable has yet to appear again under his Gable persona on WWE. During the latest Fightful Select Answers Q&A, a fan question asked Sean Ross Sapp about why Gable hasn’t reappeared as himself since his return.

According to Sapp, the reason he was given for WWE holding off on a formal return for Chad Gable is that the creative team wanted to wait on Gable’s return, in order to use it as a creative plot point. It’s currently unknown when Gable will be back on TV as “Chad Gable.”

During last Monday’s WWE Raw, El Grande Americano 2, aka Ludwig Kaiser, beat Original El Grande Americano in a singles match. Two days earlier, both Grande Americanos competed in the Rey de Reyes 2026 Final Four Way at AAA Rey de Reyes. El Grande Americano 2 won the match after Rayo and Bravo handcuffed Original El Grande Americano. La Parka and Santos Escobar were also in the match.

How Ludwig Kaier Became El Grande Americano 2 After Chad Gable Got Injured

Gable was written off WWE TV on Monday Night Raw on June 23, 2025, after suffering a legitimate injury. During a backstage segment, he provoked Penta, who then shoved Gable and laid him out with a Superkick and hit him with the Sacrifice. Ludwig Kaiser made his TV return during the segment, observing the incident.

The following week (June 30), Raw GM Adam Pearce wished Gable luck as he would leave to undergo surgery on his injury and asked if he wouldn’t see El Grande Americano anymore. Gable remarked that Americano keeps a busy schedule, so you never know.

Later on during the same Raw, Ludwig Kaiser made his debut as the new El Grande Americano. Jackie Redmond asked American Made’s thoughts on Ludwig appearing as the character, but Ivy Nile refused to comment on the matter.

For now, Gable and Kaiser appear to still be at odds over their dueling El Grande Americano personas for unknown reasons.