This week, WWE Smackdown on FOX aired a very special post-Wrestlemania 38 edition from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As expected, debuts and returns were reserved on the show including Raquel Gonzalez and lacey Evans.
In addition, Imperium faction leader Gunther (fka WALTER) and Ludwig Kaiser (fka Marcel Barthel) have also officially arrived at WWE SmackDown from WWE NXT. Ring announcer Samantha Irvin introduced Kaiser on the stage as he was standing under the Imperium spotlight.
WWE Raw: Cody Rhodes To Wrestle His First Match In 6 Years
He was the one to give Gunther a grand introduction for his first official main roster match on WWE Smackdown. Gunther was billed as The Ring General. Gunther and Kaiser were also seen marching to the ring, wearing their bright red and black gear, as Michael Cole hyped up the debut of the former NXT UK Champion who also had the longest reign with the belt. Interestingly, the Imperium faction name wasn’t used for them.
Gunther dominated during his WWE Smackdown debut
After a short break, WWE Smackdown airing came back as Gunther SmackDown then went to a commercial break but came back to Gunther literally destroyed indie talent Joe Alonzo in singles action as Kaiser watched from ringside. Alonzo is also the one who took a loss to Veer Mahaan on WWE Main Event last month. Plus, he has also worked in five AEW Dark matches in 2020.
In more news, Fabian Aichner, the third member of the Imperium faction did not appear on WWE SmackDown with Gunther and Ludwig and he is expected to stay on the NXT brand. The indication was given at this week’s NXT 2.0 episode where Aichner walked out on Kaiser during their tag team match against The Creed Brothers.
Carmella Helped By Her Boyfriend’s Son For WWE Wrestlemania 38 Mask
Before this week’s WWE Smackdown went on air, WrestleVotes reported that a debut is reserved on the show with a name change. The particular superstar and name wasn’t revealed but we believe that it’s Barthel’s new name Ludwig as it caused an online stir,
“There’s a name change for a debuting superstar tonight on SmackDown that is probably the worst one yet. Like picked from a hat and blindfolded, that’s how they got here type stuff.”
Gunther has been with WWE since January 2019, and he is a one-time NXT UK Champion whole held the title for a record 870 days. Ludwig has been with WWE since June 2017 and is a two-time NXT Tag Team Champion.
