This Week in Wrestling: Week 21 in 2026

Brian Damage

This Week in Wrestling: Week 21 in 2026

This week, I want to talk about the success of AAA’s El Grande Americano aka Ludwig Kaiser in Mexico. Ever since WWE purchased AAA, I had some doubts that the company would successfully translate authentic lucha libre for fans of that promotion. While I am unsure if they were able to achieve that entirely, WWE management has created a somewhat sensation in the El Grande Americano storyline.

This Saturday there will be a traditional mask vs mask match between Americano and OG Americano aka Chad Gable. The fans seemingly have gravitated to Kaiser’s gimmick and he has become a very over character. Mexican fans have embraced the gimmick and have accepted Kaiser as one of their own. Give credit where credit is due, Kaiser has really done an amazing job with what he was given.

It’s funny in a lot of ways. Vince McMahon was always in search of the next great Latino wrestler in WWE. Whether that was Pedro Morales, Tito Santana, Eddie Guerrero, Alberto Del Rio etc…the company found someone born in Germany, lives in Florida that is portraying a luchador and it has paid off huge for WWE. El Grande Americano is a true success story and it is wonderful to see. If this gimmick did not come along, I have to wonder how successful Ludwig Kaiser would have been. My guess is he probably would have ended up released.

In any case, I am really looking forward to this mask vs mask match on Saturday. Last week I spoke of how the current wrestling landscape has done nothing to get my fandom excited. This storyline has definitely helped get that mojo back and I am embracing it. Kudos to all involved with bringing this angle to life.

Photo Gallery

Kiana James

Tito Santana’s daughter Jennifer

Jeep Swenson’s Daughter Kayleigh

Giulia

Karissa Rivera

Celeste Bonin

Raquel Rodriguez

Salina De La Renta

Lacey Evans

Bea Priestley

Video Gallery

Jos Leduc and the Kelly Twins (Mike and Pat) in a candy bar commercial…