WWE Announces GUNTHER vs. El Grande Americano Match

WWE has announced a highly anticipated singles match between GUNTHER and El Grande Americano for its Road to Royal Rumble live event on January 13, 2026, at the SAP Arena in Mannheim, Germany. The matchup pits the dominant "Ring General" against his former Imperium stablemate, Ludwig Kaiser, who currently performs under the masked persona of El Grande Americano.

The bout highlights a personal rivalry rooted in the wrestlers' shared history. GUNTHER and Kaiser, both German natives, rose through the independent scene together, including stints in the wXw promotion where they captured its top championship. They later formed the Imperium faction in WWE, competing as a formidable tag team until recent shifts in storylines. Their last in-ring collaboration came during an October 2024 episode of SmackDown, where they partnered in a tag match. Now, as opponents, the encounter marks a homecoming of sorts for both, with Kaiser embracing the El Grande Americano character that emerged after Chad Gable's summer injury sidelined him from action. The gimmick has expanded to include additional masked performers, such as Pete Dunne as Rayo Americano and Tyler Bate as Bravo Americano.