6 Ups & 3 Downs from WWE Raw (30 June - Results & Review)

Ups...

6. El Grande Americano Returns

Uh oh, here come the conspiracy theorists! They'd claim that this version of "El Grande Americano" is actually Ludwig Kaiser. Why? Just because the guy had the same body shape, eyes, walk and mannerisms as Kaiser? Preposterous. Seriously though, putting Ludwig under the mask as a quick sub for the injured Chad Gable is a solid plan.

Ivy Nile and the rest of American Made were talking about Chad being sidelined backstage when Kaiser walked into frame dressed as Americano. Ludwig had been seen watching the group earlier, so this wasn't totally out of the blue. Besides, it's easy to get pumped for this sort of thing; the Americano gimmick is so over the top and silly anyway, and it fits to put a top worker like Kaiser under the mask.

He didn’t have anything else going on for TV anyway, so bring it on. If this gets Ludwig inside the ring working bangers against the rest of the midcard, then that'll be considered a huge plus for Raw. Then, maybe Chad can get a fun babyface turn out of things when he returns and realises his alter ego has been nabbed by somebody else looking to pull double duty.

Don't forget that Ludwig also had his run ins with the likes of Penta earlier in the year. Kicking that back off and turning Kaiser into somebody who wants to dominate the lucha scene gives him something to focus on and keeps the El Grande gimmick purring in Gable's absence.

It really is a win-win situation.