SEScoops

Tag: El Grande Americano

  • Chad Gable Unmasked at AAA Noche de los Grandes After Mask Loss

    Chad Gable Unmasked at AAA Noche de los Grandes After Mask Loss

    Chad Gable is the “Original” El Grande Americano. The longtime WWE star removed his mask Saturday night at AAA Noche de los Grandes in Monterrey, revealing his identity to a frenzied Arena Monterrey crowd after losing the mask vs. mask main event to Ludwig Kaiser’s El Grande Americano.

    The result closes out one of 2026’s hottest wrestling angles, a rivalry that started as a maligned WWE gag in 2025 and grew into a genuine drawing feud spanning two promotions.

    The match ran over 30 minutes and leaned hard on callbacks from the year-long story. Blind comedian Alexis Arroyo attacked the Original with his cane, and Pimpinela Escarlata returned to get payback for an earlier assault.

    Kaiser’s storyline girlfriend, Andrea Bazarte, appeared in the crowd holding a ticket, since the Original had only agreed to the stipulation on the condition that she be fired from AAA. A bloodied Gable battered Kaiser’s knee with a steel chair and went for an ankle lock late before a running headbutt finished him.

    Then came the moment. Gable took the microphone and admitted he couldn’t overcome the Mexican spirit, conceding Kaiser was the only true El Grande Americano. He spoke about putting on the mask to master lucha libre, referenced his Olympic background and 13-year career, and brought his family into the ring.

    “Me llamo Chad Gable,” he told the crowd as he unmasked.

    Fans chanted “thank you, Gable” as he handed his bloody mask to Kaiser and left the arena. He promised to return to AAA someday. The segment effectively turned Gable babyface on his way out.

    For the full rundown of the night, including three title changes, see our complete AAA Noche de los Grandes results from Monterrey.

  • El Grande Americano Set To Be Honored Ahead Of AAA Mask vs. Mask Match

    El Grande Americano Set To Be Honored Ahead Of AAA Mask vs. Mask Match

    El Grande Americano is scheduled to be honored with a special Serenata ceremony on May 29 in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico.

    The ceremony takes place a day before he competes in a high-stakes Mask vs. Mask match at AAA’s Noches de Los Grandes event.

    El Grande Americano headlines the opening night of AAA’s two-week Noches de Los Grandes event series on May 30 in Monterrey. His opponent in the Mask vs. Mask bout is Chad Gable, billed as the Original El Grande Americano.

    The match adds another chapter to the ongoing rivalry between the two wrestlers. AAA has positioned the bout as a marquee attraction for the first night of the special event series.

    High-Stakes Stipulation

    Under the Mask vs. Mask stipulation, one wrestler will be forced to unmask following the match. The loser must reveal their identity to the crowd, a career-defining moment in lucha libre tradition.

    Kaiser has been working select dates for AAA while maintaining his WWE schedule. The Serenata ceremony represents a traditional lucha libre honor, typically reserved for major stars ahead of significant matches.

  • Watch: Ludwig Kaiser Receives Grand Welcome In Mexico After Arrest

    Watch: Ludwig Kaiser Receives Grand Welcome In Mexico After Arrest

    Ludwig Kaiser has returned.

    AAA had originally cancelled the Serenata for El Grande Americano event scheduled for Thursday night after the WWE star was arrested on May 20. He had been in Mexico when Kaiser learned of the arrest warrant issued in his name, and he returned to the US. He was released on a $1,000 bond not long after his arrest.

    The WWE star had entered a not-guilty plea and filed a motion to allow international travel. The motion seems to have been granted as Ludwig, under the El Grande Americano persona, took part in the serenade that was held in Mexico City on Friday after the initial cancellation.

    As seen in the videos coming out of the event, Americano received a huge ovation from the crowd, and he seemed genuinely moved by the support of the people after his recent troubles:

    There are multiple accounts going around about the incident in Orlando that led to Ludwig Kaiser’s arrest. The alleged victim Richard Reap, is claiming that the wrestling star attacked him in a hotel after being advised to act decently in public. Another story being shared, however, states that Reap threatened to call ICE on the former Imperium star, leading to a scuffle.

    In any case, Kaiser’s return to Mexico is a good sign for the AAA star. It indicates that his upcoming Mask vs. Mask match with the Original El Grande Americano, scheduled for the May 30, AAA Noche de Los Grandes event, will go ahead as planned.

  • AAA Event Cancelled After Ludwig Kaiser’s Arrest

    AAA Event Cancelled After Ludwig Kaiser’s Arrest

    WWE has cancelled an event.

    El Grande Americano, aka Ludwig Kaiser, was scheduled to be honored with a special serenade at the Kings League in Mexico City this week. The event organized by Kings League México in collaboration with AAA was scheduled to be held on Thursday.

    The official AAA Lucha Libre account on Instagram, however, confirmed via a story earlier in the day that the event has been cancelled:

    “The ‘Serenata for El Grande Americano’ event scheduled for tonight in Mexico City has been canceled. We appreciate your understanding.”

    Real name Marcel Barthel, Kaiser was arrested on May 20 in Orange County, Florida. The arrest stems from an alleged altercation at the Paramount on Lake Eola Hotel in Orlando on April 23. Ludwig has since been released after posting the $1,000 bond.

    Richard Reap, who filed the complaint alleges that he entered an elevator with Kaiser and an unknown female at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET. The couple were acting ‘uncontrollably intimate,’ so Reap told them to ‘please have some manners.’ Per Reap, this led to the WWE superstar assaulting him and shoving him to the ground.

    Kaiser, as El Grande Americano, is set for a big match at the May 30, AAA Noche de Los Grandes event. He has been booked to face the Original El Grande Americano in a mask vs. mask match. Neither WWE nor Ludwig has commented on the arrest yet, and there is no word on if it will affect the upcoming bout in any way.

  • Details On Ludwig Kaiser Arrest On Battery Charge In Florida

    Details On Ludwig Kaiser Arrest On Battery Charge In Florida

    Ludwig Kaiser, whose real name is Marcel Barthel, was arrested on May 20 on a charge of battery in Orange County, Florida. The WWE Superstar posted $1,000 bond and was released from custody.

    As per an arrest warrant from the Circuit Court of the Ninth Judicial Court in Orange County, Kaiser entered a not-guilty plea through written filing and waived his in-person arraignment appearance. The case has been assigned to Judge Jeramy C. Beasley, with future court dates pending.

    Details Of The Alleged Incident

    Officer Victor Cortes provided a sworn affidavit detailing the misdemeanor battery charge stemming from an incident on April 23. The alleged altercation occurred at Paramount on Lake Eola in Orlando.

    According to the affidavit, Richard Reap entered an elevator at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET and was followed by a male suspect, believed to be Kaiser, and an unknown female.

    Reap claimed the couple began acting in an “uncontrollably intimate” manner, described as aggressively kissing.

    After reaching the 12th floor, Reap said he told the couple to “please have some manners.” Reap alleged that the male suspect then assaulted him, punching him multiple times and shoving him to the ground while making additional threats of violence.

    Officer Cortes observed a large, fresh scratch on the back of Reap’s head along with redness, which he believed was consistent with a physical altercation.

    Officer Benavides reviewed surveillance footage from the 12th floor, observing a white male punching and pushing Reap outside the elevator at the reported time.

    Officers identified Kaiser as the possible suspect matching the description from the surveillance footage. Kaiser is a current resident of the apartment complex. Reap later identified Kaiser from a photo lineup as the person who battered him.

    Travel Motion Filed

    Kaiser filed a motion to allow out-of-state and international travel. The motion stated that Kaiser only became aware of the warrant while in Mexico on work and traveled to Orlando to address it by posting bond.

    The motion highlighted that Kaiser is an international performer who needs to travel outside of Florida and has no criminal record. Defense filings confirm Kaiser has no prior criminal history.

  • Ludwig Kaiser Arrested On Battery Charge In Florida

    Ludwig Kaiser Arrested On Battery Charge In Florida

    Reports have emerged that WWE superstar Ludwig Kaiser, real name Marcel Barthel, was arrested in Orange County, Florida on a battery charge.

    His arrest was noted on the Orange County Mugshots 2.0 Facebook page and on Recently Booked. The reports alleged Kaiser, who currently goes by El Grande Americano in WWE, was booked on May 20 at 2:37 PM with a bond set at $1,000.

    The charge stemmed from an altercation with a male rather than a domestic situation. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reported:

    “Ludwig Kaiser is listed online as being arrested in Florida this week.

    We’ve asked WWE for comment and will update with additional info.

    The arrest is accurate. We’re told the battery charge was against a male after an altercation. Not a domestic situation as some are speculating”

    Kaiser is scheduled for a Mask vs. Mask match against Original El Grande Americano at a Lucha Libre AAA event called “Noches de Los Grandes” on May 31.

    WWE has not issued any statement regarding the arrest.

  • El Grande Americano Rages Over WrestleMania 42 Exclusion: ‘Absolute Disgrace’

    El Grande Americano Rages Over WrestleMania 42 Exclusion: ‘Absolute Disgrace’

    El Grande Americano has called out the decision to be excluded from the WrestleMania 42 card. The luchador made his frustration clear in a video posted by WWE on April 5, reacting to the Intercontinental Championship ladder match that currently doesn’t include him.

    The IC title ladder match features Penta, Dragon Lee, Je’Von Evans, Rusev, and JD McDonagh. El Grande Americano is unhappy, especially with multiple luchadores already set for the bout. He said:

    “I want to tell you that all those luchadores are going to compete at WrestleMania, but the greatest one, the biggest legend, El Grande Americano is not!”

    Americano Calls Out Ladder Match Competitors

    Americano took things further by directly criticizing some of the announced participants. He made it clear he doesn’t think they belong in the same conversation as him.

    “Penta is a fan of Chaparro, Dragon Lee is tiny, Je’Von has no culture! This match for the Intercontinental Championship is an absolute disgrace without El Grande Americano and my friends!” he declared.

    He didn’t just vent his frustration. Americano hinted that something needs to change before WrestleMania.

    “I think somebody should do something about that. Let’s think of something.”

    Reports have already indicated that WWE is still adjusting the structure of the ladder match behind the scenes. That leaves the door open for potential late additions. Americano’s vocal complaints feel like they could be part of that direction, inserting himself into the conversation in a big way.

  • WWE Star Set For Shoulder Surgery After Recent AAA Match

    WWE Star Set For Shoulder Surgery After Recent AAA Match

    Santos Escobar will be undergoing surgery.

    Fightful Select is reporting that the 41-year-old is set to undergo surgery for a torn tricep this Thursday, after dealing with the injury for a while.

    According to the site, Santos Escobar originally suffered the injury while wrestling El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. during an NXT Live Event over the Royal Rumble weekend in January.

    The high-flying star had stopped working the live events after that but he competed in a couple of matches for AAA recently, while still dealing with the damage.

    Unfortunately the former LWO member aggravated the injury during his most recent match at Rey de Reyes involving the two El Grande Americano and La Parka, and he will now have to take an extended hiatus.  

    Escobar had recently been in news when screenshots showing him in the alumni section of WWE’s website led to speculation about his release from the company.

    It was later revealed, however, that his profile had originally been moved to the alumni after his contract expired last year. The Mexican star re-signed with the company shortly afterward but he was never moved back to the active roster page.

    SEScoops wishes a speedy recovery to Santos Escobar.

  • Long Injured Star Pitched For Raw Return

    A much-anticipated return might be happening soon.

    WWE star Chad Gable is believed to be on his way back to the company after spending 6 months on the sidelines due to an unfortunate shoulder injury.

    PWInsider is now reporting that this return could happen as soon as this Monday, because pitches have been made for the former Olympian to return at the Raw episode from Toronto.

    The WWE crew will be traveling to Saudi Arabia for the Royal Rumble PPV after Raw, and it\’d be harder for them to keep the return under wraps there. So it makes sense that Gable would be introduced back on TV before that if the company is planning for him to compete in the traditional battle royal.

    Chad Gable had been wrestling under the guise of El Grande Americano before his injury. The role was taken over by Ludwig Kaiser when he was put on the shelf. Kaiser has since introduced Rayo & Bravo Americano as his partners, forming a new faction.

    Would you rather see Chad Gable regain the mask upon his return or see the Americano persona remain with Kaiser? Let us know in the comments below.

  • Popular WWE Star Expected Back For Royal Rumble 2026

    A much-anticipated WWE return might be happening soon.

    WWE star Chad Gable has been out of action since June this year due to a shoulder injury. His last match was a successful Speed Title defence against Berto, which aired on X.

    Now Fightful Select is reporting that the former Olympian has been at Performance Center recently, training for an imminent return to TV.

    While the exact date for his comeback is not known, the site notes that the company is planning for the former champion to be back by the Royal Rumble on January 31, or even before that.

    Gable had been wrestling as himself and El Grande Americano at the same time before his unfortunate injury. The success of the Americano character had led to the former Alpha Academy leader getting his first singles WrestleMania match as well as his first singles title in WWE.

    Ludwig Kaiser took over the gimmick in Chad Gable\’s absence from TV. He also continued Americano\’s reign with the WWE Speed title until November, when Kaiser lost the belt to Jasper Troy on NXT.

    The former Imperium member has only added to the popularity of the Americano persona. So we\’ll have to see how the company takes the story forward once Gable is back on TV.