El Grande Americano’s Victory at AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide

Wrestling fans often have a lot to say—and not all of it is positive. When storylines fall flat or don’t meet expectations, the critiques tend to be loud and, well, a bit over the top.

But in a refreshing twist, the story arc between El Grande Americano and the Original El Grande Americano culminated in an incredible conclusion at Saturday night’s AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide Noche de Los Grandes. It’s fair to say the match exceeded all hopes and may very well be one of the year’s standout wrestling events.

There was a genuine buzz leading up to the match. El Grande Americano made appearances on both WWE and AAA broadcasts, quickly becoming a favorite among fans in Mexico. Meanwhile, the original El Grande Americano held a reputation as a despised heel, drawing boos even during his most defiant moments.

The tension reached its peak during a dramatic Mask vs. Mask match in a packed arena in Monterey. The contest itself was memorable, featuring El Grande Americano overcoming the original El Grande Americano in a fiercely contested battle, ending with the original’s unmasking, revealing WWE star Chad Gable beneath the mask.

The match didn’t hold back on theatrics: Gable began with guitar shots, supported by Rayo and Bravo, who took down the Creed Brothers, while El Grande Americano retaliated by smashing Gable through a table. It was a saga of strikes as both wrestlers aimed to rip off each other’s masks, leaving them battered and bloody by the end.

Fans across the board seemed to agree—this was likely the best match of the year. In a post-match reflection, Gable shared, “I wore this mask to experience the world of Lucha Libre and defeat every luchador I’ve ever despised. In this journey, I gained deep insights into Lucha Libre itself, as well as the culture of Mexico and AAA.”

“I stand here not just as a masked figure but as a man. As much as it hurts to admit, I haven’t conquered the Mexican spirit,” he added, evoking an air of humility despite his victory.

As for what’s next for Gable? He hinted in an Instagram post about heading to Italy, though details remain vague. WWE has plans for a Clash event in Turin this Sunday.