Rey Fenix was a last-minute replacement for the injured Rey Mysterio. (Credit: Mike Owens/WWE via … More Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
Rey Fenix wanted to give El Grande Americano a taste of his own medicine at WWE WrestleMania 41. Instead, an illegal metal plate cost him his WrestleMania debut match.
On WrestleMania Saturday inside Allegiant Stadium, arguably the greatest high-flyer in pro wrestling today stepped in for perhaps the best luchador of all-time, and did his best to overcome the dastardly Americano. With Rey Mysterio injured on this week’s SmackDown, Fenix was named as Mysterio’s replacement and seamlessly stepped in an attempt to defeat Mysterio’s longtime nemesis El Grande American in the culmination of what was one of the most controversial storylines en route to WWE’s flagship pay-per-view.
The luchador known as El Grande Americano isn’t a traditional luchador at all. Of course, the stereotypical gimmick is portrayed by Chad Gable, one of the best pure wrestlers in all of professional wrestling. The character, however, has been widely criticized, with some wondering if it represents a “disrespectful mockery of Lucha Libre,” a form of pro wrestling typically associated with Mexico and characterized by both its masked wrestlers and their high-flying in-ring style.
WWE’s presentation of El Grande Americano became an even bigger point of contention in pro wrestling circles when the company began billing Gable’s character from “The Gulf of America.” Although WWE ultimately pivoted and changed Americano’s billed hometown back to the “Gulf of Mexico,” that did little to change the negative perception surrounding Gable’s gimmick.
ForbesWWE WrestleMania 41 Results: Jacob Fatu Tops LA Knight, Wins US TitleBy Blake OestriecherIt’s not uncommon for WWE to book morally questionable characters, and Gable’s El Grande Americano gimmick certainly accomplished its goal of giving Mysterio, perhaps the best luchador ever, a heated rivalry heading into WrestleMania 41. Because of the hatred WWE’s fan base has for the Americano gimmick and the respect it has for Mysterio, the outcome in Las Vegas was inevitable.
That was, until Mysterio got hurt on SmackDown, leaving lots of questions about how WWE would respond to his absence. Enter Fenix, WWE’s latest high-profile signing and perhaps the heir apparent to Mysterio as pro wrestling’s most awe-inspiring luchador. And Fenix performed just like you would expect, wowing the audience with his arsenal of jaw-dropping moves despite the absurdity surrounding this storyline.
But Fenix, just weeks after debuting in WWE, lost his WrestleMania debut match after Americano slyly placed a steel plate inside his mask before blasting Fenix with a devastating headbutt.
As wrestling fans know, this wasn’t the first time WWE had a high-profile star masquerade as a luchador for storyline purposes, and it likely won’t be the last. But Gable’s El Grande Americano gimmick has a short shelf life, as it should given the sheer ridiculousness of it and the incredible talent of the man who is portraying it. This was Gable’s first-ever singles match at WrestleMania, and yet, it was under a mask when one of WWE’s most underrated stars absolutely deserved better.
Just over a year ago, Gable was one of WWE’s most popular babyfaces and in pursuit of ending Gunther’s historic Intercontinental Championship reign. His heel turn worked out well initially, but Gable was never able to capture gold as himself and then transitioned to his current Americano gimmick, playing both Gable himself and Americano on Raw over the past few episodes.
If there is one positive takeaway from what Gable has done during this span, it’s that he pulled off the gimmick with absolute ease, showcasing his ability to make anything work. It takes a special performer to get an absurd storyline over, and yet, Gable has done it to perfection.
After defeating Fenix at WWE WrestleMania 41, it appears WWE is commiting to the Americano gimmick for at least a little longer. That’s a head-scratcher given that WWE has a handful of legitimate luchadores, including Penta and Fenix, who should be getting the spotlight and the respect they deserve as the cream of the crop of Lucha Libre.
Instead, Fenix lost the biggest match of his young WWE career, albeit under shady circumstances, while Americano picked up a WrestleMania win.
And perhaps that’s a sign that Americano is here to stay. For better or for worse.
