Alberto Del Rio And Others Reportedly Sign New WWE Contracts Amidst AAA Purchase – Acquisition Sparks Contract Confusion and Controversy

As WWE edges closer to finalizing its rumored acquisition of Mexican wrestling powerhouse Lucha Libre AAA, more questions are being raised than answered—especially when it comes to talent contracts. With many AAA stars historically working under non-exclusive deals, the situation surrounding their future, and their potential roles within WWE, has taken an unexpected and controversial turn.

In a report shared early Monday by SuperLuchas’ Ernesto Ocampo, it was revealed that several high-profile AAA talents have signed new contracts directly with WWE. Among those reportedly putting pen to paper are El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., El Hijo del Vikingo, La Parka, Lady Flammer, Lady Maravilla, Nino Hamburguesa, La Hiedra, and current AAA Mega Champion Alberto El Patron (formerly Alberto Del Rio).

While many assumed WWE would inherit existing contracts through the acquisition, Ocampo clarified via X (formerly Twitter) that this isn’t the case. “Those contracts are of no use to WWE,” he wrote, explaining that WWE’s legal structure mandates entirely new deals featuring exclusive rights, intellectual property clauses, and strict termination provisions—standards AAA’s previous agreements typically lacked. This explains why WWE is issuing fresh contracts to the talent, regardless of the acquisition status.

Adding further credibility to the report, Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer later confirmed that the mentioned luchadors had signed new WWE contracts. Notably, Meltzer singled out Alberto El Patron, confirming his return to WWE nearly a decade after his last run ended in 2016.

However, the signings come with heavy baggage—particularly in Del Rio’s case. Once a four-time WWE World Champion, Del Rio’s reputation has taken a hit over the years due to serious legal and personal controversies. He was accused by Saraya (fka Paige in WWE) of abusive behavior during their relationship—allegations he denied. More seriously, in 2020, he was arrested and charged with sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping. The charges were eventually dismissed in late 2021, but the damage to his public image lingered.

La Hiedra’s alleged involvement in another disturbing incident could also complicate matters. Rumors suggest she may be under a restraining order by current NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer. The situation stems from an alleged harassment campaign by Hiedra, Forastero, and Sansón following domestic violence accusations made by Vaquer against then-boyfriend Cuatrero—Sansón’s brother and Forastero’s cousin. Cuatrero was arrested and charged with attempted femicide and domestic violence, only being released from prison this past April.

Despite the drama, it’s important to note that neither Ocampo nor Meltzer have confirmed if any of the newly signed talent are set to appear on WWE programming—or if they’ll be featured exclusively in AAA under WWE’s potential ownership. Still, the headlines alone are bound to generate buzz, both among fans and within the wrestling industry.

As WWE moves closer to finalizing the AAA deal, the spotlight will only intensify on how the company handles these controversial additions to its talent pool—and whether the reputational risk is worth the upside of expanding its reach into the lucha libre market.