Ludwig Kaiser replaced by 40-year-old veteran in dark match after SmackDown goes off the air

Ludwig Kaiser was originally advertised to face Sami Zayn in the first of two post-SmackDown matches tonight. However, he was replaced by a 40-year-old veteran and subsequently put in a different position.

After SmackDown went off the air, Sami Zayn would face the 40-year-old Santos Escobar. Although Fightful Select had reported that it was going to be Sami Zayn vs. Ludwig Kaiser, things were changed in a big way.

Of course, Sami Zayn ended up beating the man who will challenge LA Knight for the US Title next week. If he had faced Kaiser, he likely would have won then too.

As for Kaiser, his interference in the second dark match between Jey Uso and Gunther saw a major change as he teamed up with his fellow Imperium member and took the losing pinfall.

Kaiser recently returned to RAW after SummerSlam 2024 - introducing Gunther as the new World Heavyweight Champion. It looks like the German star has unfinished business with Sheamus, who beat him in their second match.

Considering that Kaiser and Sheamus are now one apiece head-to-head, it only makes sense to have the decider of the trilogy at Bash in Berlin. Although Kaiser's hometown is 300+ km away from Berlin, it will be a great homecoming nonetheless for the RAW star.

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