Natalya Calls The Chad Gable And Ludwig Kaiser Mask Match The Match Of The Year

Natalya says the mask versus mask match between Chad Gable and Ludwig Kaiser at AAA is the match of the year, and that Gable proved he could turn any assignment into magic.

On the Busted Open Podcast, Natalya told host Dave LaGreca that the bout had the entire wrestling world talking and delivered on every level: the stakes, the emotion, and the atmosphere of a loud, sold-out Mexican crowd. She noted that in Mexico a mask versus mask match is treated as deeply serious, comparing the gravity of an unmasking to the idea of Rey Mysterio losing his mask.

Natalya pushed back on early skepticism about the El Grande Americano character, which some had dismissed as goofy when Gable returned to it. “Chad Gable proved that he could take anything that he was given and turn it into magic. He made everybody believe in the story, and he committed himself to it so much that he made everybody feel that the stakes were high.”

She also relayed high praise that JBL gave Gable in a recent interview. “I heard JBL say this past week, he said Chad Gable is the best professional wrestler in the world, and nobody else is even close,” Natalya said, adding that she does not think anyone can argue it. She framed Gable’s rise as a study in grit, built by pushing through injuries, setbacks and doubt.

Natalya said Gable also elevated his opponent, with the story transforming Kaiser into the biggest star in Mexico. “Because of that story, Kaiser is the biggest star in Mexico. He’s a hero in Mexico.” She pointed to the contrast with his former Ludwig Kaiser run in WWE as evidence of his talent, and said AAA is now one of the hottest promotions in the world.

Natalya credited the performers for fully immersing themselves in lucha libre and Mexican wrestling culture, echoing comments LaGreca made that fans buy in when the story is told well. She said the match captured why wrestling resonates, the kind of core memory fans carry for life.

Source: Busted Open Podcast with Dave LaGreca and Natalya. h/t WrestlingNews.co.