When Chad Gable first began appearing as his masked luchador alter-ego, El Grande Americano, he showcased both the Chad Gable and El Grande Americano characters on WWE programming. However, since his in-ring return from injury as the “Original” El Grande Americano, Gable has not made an appearance as Chad Gable on WWE TV.
In a recent Fightful Select Answers Q&A, a fan inquired about Gable's absence as himself since his return. Sean Ross Sapp shared that WWE is holding off on formally reintroducing the Chad Gable persona because the creative team intends to use it as a plot point. Currently, it remains uncertain when Gable will return to TV as “Chad Gable.”
Gable was written off WWE TV during the June 23rd, 2025 episode of RAW after sustaining a legitimate injury. In a backstage segment, he provoked Penta, who then shoved Gable, laid him out with a superkick, and hit him with the Sacrifice. Ludwig Kaiser made his return during this segment, observing the incident.
The following week, during the June 30th RAW, General Manager Adam Pearce wished Gable well as he prepared to undergo surgery for his injury and asked if fans would see El Grande Americano again. Gable replied that Americano has a busy schedule, so it's uncertain. Later that same RAW, Kaiser debuted as the new El Grande Americano. Jackie Redmond asked American Made for their thoughts on Kaiser’s portrayal of the character, but Ivy Nile declined to comment.
In the most recent WWE RAW, El Grande Americano 2, also known as Ludwig Kaiser, defeated The "Original" El Grande Americano in a singles match. Just two days prior, both El Grande Americanos competed in the Rey de Reyes 2026 Final 4-Way match. El Grande Americano 2 emerged victorious after Rayo and Bravo handcuffed The "Original" El Grande Americano. La Parka and Santos Escobar were also participants in the match.
For now, Gable and Kaiser appear to be at odds over their conflicting El Grande Americano personas and may be set to face off in a mask vs. mask match at WrestleMania 42.
