During WrestleMania 41 weekend in April 2025, WWE made a major announcement: it had acquired the iconic Mexican wrestling promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. Michael Cole shared the news live during the WrestleMania 41 pre-show, and the company also revealed plans for a new Worlds Collide event featuring talent from both NXT and AAA.
Soon after, reports from SUPER LUCHAS editor-in-chief Ernesto Ocampo listed eight AAA stars WWE had either signed or retained as part of the acquisition. These included Hijo de Dr. Wagner, Hijo del Vikingo, La Parka, La Hiedra, Lady Flammer, Lady Maravilla, Niño Hamburguesa, and notably, Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio, a former WWE Champion, was seen by many as an unlikely name given his past with the company and extensive controversies.
Clarification: WWE Has Not Re-Signed Del Rio
Despite early buzz, Del Rio has not signed a new WWE contract. The confusion stems from WWE’s acquisition of AAA, which means the company is inheriting Del Rio’s existing contract with AAA, not offering him a direct WWE return.
The reputable @luchablog Twitter/X account clarified that “WWE didn’t give Alberto Del Rio a contract,” and that he remains under his AAA deal signed in 2024. Ocampo later added that these AAA stars will remain primarily in Mexico-based events, with only select performers like Vikingo potentially appearing in U.S. crossover shows.
In response to earlier public claims by Del Rio that he was planning a WWE comeback, a WWE higher-up directly refuted flatly denied any such interest in 2023. Speaking to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, the source said there was “no f*****g chance” of a return, and added that there had “never been any real consideration” of bringing him back since his 2016 departure.
Fan Backlash Erupts Over Alberto Del Rio’s Return
Alberto Del Rio’s apparent WWE return, via AAA acquisition, has sparked widespread backlash among wrestling fans. Critics flooded social media, slamming WWE for re-signing a figure with a history of controversies while releasing other respected talent.
Here are some of the most viral reactions:
“Lfmao this company doesn’t give a sh*t about anything. They really signed Del Rio after everything he’s done.”
“Del Rio has always sucked.”
“Fires Dakota Kai but signs Alberto Del Rio.”
“WWE: ‘We’re a global brand of empowerment.’ Also WWE: re-signs Alberto Del Rio – known abuser, charisma vacuum, sh*t wrestler, general liability.”
“Hiring that POS Alberto Del Rio when you just released a bunch of good quality human beings is baffling.”
Fans also mocked WWE’s decision-making, calling it hypocritical and tone-deaf. The sentiment is clear: Del Rio’s return has become one of the most polarizing moves WWE has made in years.
A Career of Highs and Harsh Controversies
Alberto Del Rio, born José Alberto Rodríguez, first joined WWE in 2009 and quickly rose to prominence. He won the 2011 Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank, and held the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship a total of four times. He also captured the United States Championship twice.
However, his WWE tenure has been deeply marred by controversy and misconduct. He was first released by WWE in August 2014 for “unprofessional conduct.” He returned for a short stint in 2015, but was again suspended for violating the company’s Wellness Policy and opted out of his contract in September 2016.
After WWE, Del Rio wrestled in TNA/IMPACT under the name Alberto El Patrón. He won the promotion’s world title in 2017, but was suspended and stripped of the belt following a domestic violence incident. He was eventually released for failing to appear at a co-branded event between Lucha Underground and IMPACT Wrestling.
Del Rio’s most publicized and turbulent relationship was with former WWE Divas Champion and current AEW star Saraya (formerly known as Paige). The pair dated from 2016 to 2017, during which time they were involved in multiple domestic incidents and arrests. The relationship ended after about a year.
Legal Troubles: Indictments and Dismissal
In May 2020, Del Rio was arrested and indicted in Bexar County, Texas, after a former partner accused him of aggravated kidnapping and four counts of sexual assault. The woman alleged that Del Rio physically assaulted her, tied her hands with boxing straps, stuffed a sock in her mouth, and sexually assaulted her for hours.
He was indicted by a grand jury later that year, and the charges carried the possibility of years of imprisonment. However, after multiple trial delays, the case was dismissed in December 2021 when the alleged victim failed to appear in court. As a result, no conviction was made, and Del Rio was legally cleared of the charges, although the allegations have continued to shadow his reputation.
In 2023, Del Rio returned to AAA and later won the AAA Mega Championship at Triplemanía XXXII in August 2024.
Latest Incident and Suspension
Del Rio’s troubles did not end there. In March 2025, he was caught on video attacking a fan during an AAA live event. The footage went viral, leading to a six-month suspension handed down by a local athletic commission. This incident further fueled criticism and questions about WWE’s association with him, even if indirect.
While his name reappears in WWE discussions due to the AAA acquisition, the company has shown no intention of integrating him into WWE programming. His inclusion on WWE.com’s Alumni page may reflect the AAA merger, but does not indicate an official WWE return.
Soon after, reports from SUPER LUCHAS editor-in-chief Ernesto Ocampo listed eight AAA stars WWE had either signed or retained as part of the acquisition. These included Hijo de Dr. Wagner, Hijo del Vikingo, La Parka, La Hiedra, Lady Flammer, Lady Maravilla, Niño Hamburguesa, and notably, Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio, a former WWE Champion, was seen by many as an unlikely name given his past with the company and extensive controversies.
Clarification: WWE Has Not Re-Signed Del Rio
Despite early buzz, Del Rio has not signed a new WWE contract. The confusion stems from WWE’s acquisition of AAA, which means the company is inheriting Del Rio’s existing contract with AAA, not offering him a direct WWE return.
The reputable @luchablog Twitter/X account clarified that “WWE didn’t give Alberto Del Rio a contract,” and that he remains under his AAA deal signed in 2024. Ocampo later added that these AAA stars will remain primarily in Mexico-based events, with only select performers like Vikingo potentially appearing in U.S. crossover shows.
In response to earlier public claims by Del Rio that he was planning a WWE comeback, a WWE higher-up directly refuted flatly denied any such interest in 2023. Speaking to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, the source said there was “no f*****g chance” of a return, and added that there had “never been any real consideration” of bringing him back since his 2016 departure.
Fan Backlash Erupts Over Alberto Del Rio’s Return
Alberto Del Rio’s apparent WWE return, via AAA acquisition, has sparked widespread backlash among wrestling fans. Critics flooded social media, slamming WWE for re-signing a figure with a history of controversies while releasing other respected talent.
Here are some of the most viral reactions:
“Lfmao this company doesn’t give a sh*t about anything. They really signed Del Rio after everything he’s done.”
“Del Rio has always sucked.”
“Fires Dakota Kai but signs Alberto Del Rio.”
“WWE: ‘We’re a global brand of empowerment.’ Also WWE: re-signs Alberto Del Rio – known abuser, charisma vacuum, sh*t wrestler, general liability.”
“Hiring that POS Alberto Del Rio when you just released a bunch of good quality human beings is baffling.”
Fans also mocked WWE’s decision-making, calling it hypocritical and tone-deaf. The sentiment is clear: Del Rio’s return has become one of the most polarizing moves WWE has made in years.
A Career of Highs and Harsh Controversies
Alberto Del Rio, born José Alberto Rodríguez, first joined WWE in 2009 and quickly rose to prominence. He won the 2011 Royal Rumble, Money in the Bank, and held the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship a total of four times. He also captured the United States Championship twice.
However, his WWE tenure has been deeply marred by controversy and misconduct. He was first released by WWE in August 2014 for “unprofessional conduct.” He returned for a short stint in 2015, but was again suspended for violating the company’s Wellness Policy and opted out of his contract in September 2016.
After WWE, Del Rio wrestled in TNA/IMPACT under the name Alberto El Patrón. He won the promotion’s world title in 2017, but was suspended and stripped of the belt following a domestic violence incident. He was eventually released for failing to appear at a co-branded event between Lucha Underground and IMPACT Wrestling.
Del Rio’s most publicized and turbulent relationship was with former WWE Divas Champion and current AEW star Saraya (formerly known as Paige). The pair dated from 2016 to 2017, during which time they were involved in multiple domestic incidents and arrests. The relationship ended after about a year.
Legal Troubles: Indictments and Dismissal
In May 2020, Del Rio was arrested and indicted in Bexar County, Texas, after a former partner accused him of aggravated kidnapping and four counts of sexual assault. The woman alleged that Del Rio physically assaulted her, tied her hands with boxing straps, stuffed a sock in her mouth, and sexually assaulted her for hours.
He was indicted by a grand jury later that year, and the charges carried the possibility of years of imprisonment. However, after multiple trial delays, the case was dismissed in December 2021 when the alleged victim failed to appear in court. As a result, no conviction was made, and Del Rio was legally cleared of the charges, although the allegations have continued to shadow his reputation.
In 2023, Del Rio returned to AAA and later won the AAA Mega Championship at Triplemanía XXXII in August 2024.
Latest Incident and Suspension
Del Rio’s troubles did not end there. In March 2025, he was caught on video attacking a fan during an AAA live event. The footage went viral, leading to a six-month suspension handed down by a local athletic commission. This incident further fueled criticism and questions about WWE’s association with him, even if indirect.
While his name reappears in WWE discussions due to the AAA acquisition, the company has shown no intention of integrating him into WWE programming. His inclusion on WWE.com’s Alumni page may reflect the AAA merger, but does not indicate an official WWE return.
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