Ludwig Kaiser Working Babyface On WWE House Shows (WWE News)
WWE boss Triple H has been trying something new for arrogant heel Ludwig Kaiser.
Fightful Select is reporting that Ludwig Kaiser has been working a babyface role on live events during WWE's latest European tour. This news shouldn't be entirely unexpected given Kaiser's independent work in Germany before inking a deal with the promotion in 2017. Before that, Kaiser (as Axel Dieter Jr.) was a firm favourite on wXw cards across the country.
However, he's 100% heel on WWE television, so it's interesting that Triple H is willing to be flexible and give Ludwig a fresh role on house shows during the current loop. Kaiser worked as a face on cards in both Hannover and Dortmund. There, he was handed wins over Austin Theory and Grayson Waller respectively. A-Town Down Under stared at the lights for a guy who knows a thing or two about being in an overlooked tag-team!
Previously, Kaiser and now-former WWE roster member Giovanni Vinci were part of Gunther's Imperium stable. The pair were largely backup or there to take a beating so Gunther didn't have to, but they also found limited success in the tag division. Then, WWE split the team and Vinci eventually became one of many WWE releases, but Ludwig has shown himself to be a fine midcard act with promise on flagship brand Raw ever since.
It'd be interesting to see footage of Kaiser doing his thing as a babyface. That'd be a real throwback to his wXw days. There, he often worked opposite future stablemate Gunther in heated matches, and he performed admirably as a spirited underdog babyface fans rallied behind.
Kaiser Expected To Remain Heel On WWE TV
Fightful did also note that this babyface work is expected to happen exclusively on European house shows away from the cameras. On TV, Kaiser will remain heel, but the site added that "specific crowd reactions could adjust that week to week overseas". These European crowds in places like Barcelona and Brussels have been rowdy, so WWE is rolling with the punches and just having fun.
On Monday's Raw in Belgium, Ludwig lost a fine 'No Holds Barred' bout to WWE newcomer Penta. The masked star got the win, then the company made it clear that he'd moved past his mini-feud with Kaiser by having Penta toss his name in the hat for a WrestleMania crack at Bron Breakker's Intercontinental Title.
Where does that leave Ludwig then? Well...as a midcard heel. He might be bagging babyface wins over Theory and Waller on the live loops, but Kaiser probably won't be turning full blown baby any time soon. This is something Triple H gave the green light for non televised house shows, but that's about it.
A face run could happen someday though. You never know. Fans do respect Kaiser's in-ring work, and most hardcore fans would agree that he's shown some personality since he stopped being used as Gunther's bodyguard/a punching bag for the 'Ring General's' rivals.