The upcoming WWE Raw will feature a match for the WWE Raw Intercontinental Title, where reigning champion Penta is set to defend his championship against the Original El Grande Americano, also known as Chad Gable. The bout was confirmed by Adam Pearce on Sunday and stems from a recent segment where the challenger expressed his intentions to challenge Penta, who subsequently went on to win the title by defeating Dominik Mysterio following a miscommunication among Mysterio and the Judgement Day faction.
Background on Key Wrestlers and Build-Up to the Match
Dominik Mysterio, who had held the Intercontinental Title since WrestleMania 41 except for a brief period when John Cena was champion, encountered Danhausen shortly before the scheduled match. Danhausen, a new WWE personality who debuted recently, cursed Mysterio at their meeting, possibly foreshadowing Mysterio’s defeat.
Chad Gable returned to WWE under the mask as Original El Grande Americano during the Royal Rumble event and has been engaged in a rivalry with Ludvig Kaiser, the second El Grande Americano. In WWE’s main roster storyline, their character roles differ from their AAA portrayals, with Gable’s persona as the original being a fan favorite in AAA but cast as a villain on WWE television, while the reverse applies to Kaiser.
Additional Matches Scheduled for Raw
The full event card for Raw on March 9 includes more notable matches such as a Women’s Intercontinental Title number one contender’s gauntlet featuring Raquel Rodriguez, Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, IYO SKY, Asuka, and Ivy Nile. Other highlighted matches include Oba Femi taking on Rusev.
Event Significance and Anticipated Outcomes
This title defense is significant as it highlights Penta’s rise in WWE following his championship victory. The involvement of established competitors like Chad Gable and Dominik Mysterio adds depth to the storyline, while new characters such as Danhausen are influencing the narrative unpredictably. Fans will be watching to see whether Penta can maintain his hold on the WWE Raw Intercontinental Title or if Original El Grande Americano will capture the championship, potentially reshaping the title scene.
We are LIVE tomorrow night from beautiful Seattle and three HUGE matches are OFFICIAL for #WWERaw!
📺 8 ET/5 PT and LIVE around the globe on @netflix. pic.twitter.com/uAy6Kj76Tb
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) March 8, 2026
