Chad Gable is on the verge of making a comeback this week, as reports indicate he will be heading to WWE’s Performance Center to recover from a torn rotator cuff. Since June, Gable has been sidelined, which disrupted his role as the masked luchador El Grande Americano.
Gable enjoyed a standout period portraying El Grande Americano, even making his WrestleMania debut in April by defeating Rey Fenix. His injury in the summer forced him out, and the character was taken over by Ludwig Kaiser, who brought his own unique flair to the role—setting the stage for a possible rivalry over the El Grande Americano identity if Gable returns. According to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, Gable is expected at the Performance Center soon to prepare for his ring return, though there’s no word yet on when he will appear on WWE programming.
Having been with WWE since November 2013, Gable, now 39, has been a staple for the brand, performing under various personas, including Shorty G. He renewed his WWE contract last year despite rumors linking him to AEW, shortly after Triple H expressed a desire for Gable to stay with WWE permanently.
Before his injury, Gable was delivering some of the finest performances of his career, highlighted by a compelling heel turn and split from Alpha Academy, which was among the best TV moments at the time. Fans were vocal about their disappointment when Sami Zayn was chosen to challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania 40 over Gable. Though Gable dons the El Grande Americano mask, many feel he still hasn’t received the push his talent merits. His return presents a prime opportunity for WWE to elevate him into a significant main event contender. Gable’s mic skills and in-ring ability were among the best in 2024, illustrated by his involvement in Wyatt Six’s debut.
Fan Take: Chad Gable’s upcoming return could be a turning point for WWE, breathing new life into storylines and bringing much-needed talent back to the forefront. WWE fans should be excited because Gable’s blend of charisma and wrestling skill has the potential to shake up the main event scene and create fresh, compelling rivalries.
