Chad Gable, who is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, has shown clear interest in the upcoming CM Punk World Heavyweight Championship match set for next Monday Night RAW. CM Punk will defend his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Balor, drawing attention from fellow competitors across the WWE roster.
Gable’s Injury, El Grande Americano Role Changes, and Ludwig Kaiser’s Involvement
Gable, previously portraying the character El Grande Americano, sustained his shoulder injury in early 2025. Following the setback, WWE introduced a replacement for the Americano persona, with Ludwig Kaiser taking over the role. Despite this switch, the promotion has never publicly disclosed who actually played Americano.
Recently, Gable posted an Instagram story in which he was seen working out with footage from the Punk-Balor segment on RAW playing in the background. He included an eye emoji in the story, suggesting his interest in the unfolding title scene.
CM Punk’s Recent Championship History and Title Changes
CM Punk has asserted himself at the top of WWE since returning, capturing the World Heavyweight Championship twice in 2025. His first title victory came at SummerSlam 2025 after defeating Gunther. However, Punk’s reign was fleeting, as Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and defeated Punk on the same show to claim the championship.
Rollins’ eventual decision to vacate the title paved the way for Punk to regain the championship by overcoming Jey Uso during the November 1 episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event. Punk now prepares to defend his title once again, this time against Finn Balor, as anticipation builds around the match.
Austin Theory’s Interference and Paul Heyman’s Reaction
During a previous World Heavyweight Championship defense, Austin Theory became involved in Punk’s match against Bron Breakker, attempting to help his own Vision stablemate capture the title by delivering the Stomp to CM Punk. Theory later addressed the incident on social media, and Paul Heyman publicly responded, stating:
“Austin Theory’s STOMP is Delivered with Maximum PRESSURE!”
– Paul Heyman, Manager
Looking Ahead: Title Defense and Gable’s Ambitions
With CM Punk set to defend his championship against Finn Balor on Monday Night RAW, the ongoing intrigue around the title picture continues. Chad Gable’s visible interest, despite his injury and the changes surrounding the El Grande Americano persona, points to possible future contention. This evolving scenario could introduce new rivalries and opportunities, as WWE’s premier championship remains at the center of attention.
Chad Gable has his eyes on CM Punk and Finn Balor 👁️ pic.twitter.com/tJ4fs5XIj5
— WrestleSD (@wrestle_sd) January 13, 2026
