Two-time champion makes massive return to promotion outside WWE for the first time in 2086 days

WWE's partnership with independent wrestling promotions enables wrestlers to compete within and outside the Stamford-based company. Recently, former two-time NXT Tag Team Champion Ludwig Kaiser made a surprising return to his home promotion after over five years.

The Imperium member made his debut inside the squared circle with Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) under the ring name Axel Dieter Jr. in January 2009. Kaiser signed a deal with WWE in 2017, but due to wXw's relationship with the Stamford-based company, Kaiser made back-and-forth appearances for the German promotion.

In his last in-ring match on Westside Xtreme Wrestling, Dieter Jr. teamed up with Da Mack to defeat Francis Kaspin and Jay Skillet at the 16 Carat Gold on March 10, 2019.

Ludwig Kaiser made a shocking return to wXw at the Broken Rules event on November 23, 2024. The 34-year-old WWE star's unexpected appearance took the event by storm as he confronted Peter Tihanyi, the reigning wXw Unified World Wrestling Champion.

Check out the clip below:

Ludwig Kaiser sent a warning to WWE legend after RAW

The Imperium member played a major during Sheamus vs. Bron Breakker's Intercontinental Championship match on the November 18, 2024 edition of Monday Night RAW. Ludwig Kaiser attacked both superstars as the title match ended in DQ.

In a video on Instagram, the 34-year-old WWE Superstar warned Sheamus about his perceived misuse of opportunities, suggesting that Kaiser himself is deserving of a championship reign.

"Nobody knows what it's like to sit at home watching somebody like Sheamus getting opportunity after opportunity. Speed matches, Intercontinental Championship matches, wasting all of them. And still there is Ludwig Kaiser who has to wait and stand back... The question is not if Ludwig Kaiser is going to be a champion one day, the question is when! The answer to that question—is now," he said.

Check out the video below:

It remains to be seen if The European Excellence will get a shot at Bron Breakker's Intercontinental Title in the coming weeks.