El Grande Americano’s identity confusion has intensified since WWE’s Royal Rumble, following the return of the original performer behind the character. Instead of Chad Gable reclaiming the role he created last year, WWE appears to be weaving a storyline involving both Ludwig Kaiser and Gable competing for the official identity of El Grande Americano. This ongoing rivalry led to a surprising unmasking moment during last night’s episode of RAW.
During the latest WWE RAW broadcast, the feud between Chad Gable and Ludwig Kaiser escalated further. Kaiser’s version of El Grande Americano attempted to remove Gable’s mask last week, and Gable returned the favor by successfully pulling Kaiser’s mask off this time. This revealed Kaiser’s real face, an unexpected slip that happened live on television.
As Kaiser’s mask was pulled away, fellow luchadores Rayo and Bravo rushed in to protect him. However, the mask’s mouth hole was incorrectly positioned, exposing Kaiser’s entire face for several seconds before he could fix it. Despite WWE Universe already knowing who was behind each mask, this incident broke the illusion the company has been trying to maintain.
Could the Rivalry Build to a Mask vs. Mask Match at WrestleMania?
The El Grande Americano persona was originally crafted by Chad Gable during his feud with various luchadores. After Gable’s injury, he passed the character to Ludwig Kaiser, who has since elevated its prominence in both WWE and the Mexican promotion AAA. Given Kaiser’s success, it seems unfair to simply strip the character back from him without a decisive conclusion.
The intense focus on unmasking each other in recent weeks strongly suggests that WWE might be heading toward a high-stakes mask vs. mask bout, possibly at WrestleMania. Such a match would provide a thrilling climax to their conflict, allowing both performers to showcase their talents on wrestling’s biggest stage. The victor would presumably earn the right to continue carrying the El Grande Americano legacy.
This storyline not only intensifies the rivalry between Ludwig Kaiser and Chad Gable but also introduces significant tension and anticipation for fans leading up to major upcoming events like the Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania. The resolution of who will officially embody El Grande Americano could have lasting implications for their careers and WWE’s creative direction involving masked characters.
Who else is ready to see a match between El Grande Americano and El Grande Americano? 👊@Americano_WWE pic.twitter.com/frc42ORlhI
— WWE (@WWE) February 17, 2026
