For months, fans have watched Ludwig Kaiser and Gunther operate on separate paths, a notable shift for the longtime Imperium duo.
Now, the real reason for the split has been revealed—and it didn’t come from the WWE creative team. During an appearance on the Kennt jeder podcast, Kaiser dropped a bombshell: the separation was his and Gunther’s idea all along.
“I think I have never said this in public, but it was Gunther’s and my idea.”
Kaiser explained that while his role was to enhance Gunther’s act, he eventually reached a point where he needed to forge his own identity to avoid being permanently typecast.
“My job was to make his act better and not take anything away. But at some point you want more and you get to a point where you want more. But if you keep walking behind Gunther, I remain the tag team guy. We realized something needs to change, so we did.” (h/t Wrestletalk)
While Kaiser has since embraced his new persona as El Grande Americano, Gunther has been off WWE television since losing the World Heavyweight Championship to CM Punk at SummerSlam on August 2. A report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter indicates the former champ, who underwent nose surgery, is “expected back very soon.”
The decision was a calculated risk, one Kaiser felt was necessary to advance his career.
“Of course there is a risk. But in America you need to bank on yourself and on your skills. You need to have the balls to do that. You will get that chance, you need to use it. I would say for myself I did just that.”
With both men now on distinct trajectories, this revelation adds a fascinating layer to their individual journeys and the future of the Imperium legacy.