Rey Mysterio suffered a torn groin during a six-man tag team match on the April WWE SmackDown, forcing him to withdraw from his WrestleMania bout against El Grande Americano—a controversial masked luchador widely speculated to be Chad Gable in disguise. In a dramatic twist, Rey Fenix replaced the injured Hall of Famer for his WrestleMania debut, but fell short against Americano in a chaotic match involving AAA star Vikingo.
The Injury Fallout
Mysterio’s injury occurred when Julius Creed pulled him under the ropes during the SmackDown match, causing the veteran to land awkwardly and tear his groin muscle. WWE medical staff ruled him out just hours before WrestleMania, despite Mysterio initially believing he could compete.
El Grande Americano’s Identity Controversy
The mysterious El Grande Americano has sparked intense speculation, with former WWE Champion Big E insisting the luchador is “100% Chad Gable,” citing familiarity with his physique. Gable’s recent hiatus to study lucha libre further fueled rumors.
Rey Fenix Steps In
Fenix, a high-flying standout from AEW and AAA, made his WrestleMania debut in Mysterio’s place. The match saw Vikingo—now part of WWE’s newly acquired AAA roster—interfere, but Gable (as Americano) secured the win using a metal plate hidden in his mask.
No timetable exists for Mysterio’s return, while Fenix’s WrestleMania performance cements his status as a rising WWE star. The ongoing saga leaves fans questioning whether Americano’s true identity will ever be unmasked.
