WWE says Roman Reigns vs El Grande Americano not planned for Raw in Mexico City, sources say

WWE has told reporters it will not book a World Heavyweight Championship match between Roman Reigns and El Grande Americano on Raw in Mexico City, Bryan Alvarez said on Wrestling Observer Live, after Reigns shared a backstage interaction with AAA general manager Rey Mysterio on the August 3 episode of Monday Night Raw. The remark narrows speculation about who might challenge the World Heavyweight Champion when WWE visits Mexico next month.

Reigns’ on-screen connection with AAA prompted widespread discussion about a potential title defence in Mexico, and WWE has not officially announced its plans for that show. New reports have already focused attention on a small number of Mexican stars as possible opponents. Among the names discussed by fans and pundits, El Grande Americano has often been singled out as a leading candidate.

On Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez said: “WWE is claiming that it is not going to be Roman Reigns and El Grande [Americano]” fighting for the World Heavyweight Championship on Raw in Mexico City. Dave Meltzer added that WWE’s mindset is that whichever Mexican star loses to Reigns would effectively be receiving a major career boost simply by sharing the ring with the company’s biggest attraction.

Supporters of El Grande Americano point to his status within AAA and the strength of his following in Mexico as reasons the pairing would draw significant interest. Coverage has noted that a championship match between Reigns and Americano would immediately become one of AAA’s biggest attractions and could easily headline a stadium event in Mexico if promoted as such.

The El Grande Americano character has history within WWE creative: Ludwig Kaiser has portrayed the gimmick following Chad Gable’s original version, and the character has been largely absent from WWE television while appearing in AAA. Observers say that contrast—both performers associated with WWE yet presented as from different worlds—adds narrative novelty to a potential crossover meeting.

WWE commentators and insiders have outlined several possible scenarios beyond a single Mexico show: a competitive title bout in Mexico followed by a rematch in the United States, a program involving Dominik Mysterio’s AAA persona, or an initial alliance between Reigns and Americano that later turns into a marquee singles match. Reigns’ reduced schedule has been cited as a factor that increases the stakes of any appearance he makes.

No opponent has been formally confirmed for Roman Reigns on the Mexico Raw, and Alvarez’s update indicates a match with El Grande Americano is not currently planned; names such as El Grande Americano and Dominik Mysterio remain part of the conversation should WWE expand Reigns’ involvement with AAA.