WWE made headlines this week with news that several stars from Mexican promotion AAA had signed deals with the company—most notably current AAA Mega Champion Alberto Del Rio and luchadora La Hiedra. However, as with most things in wrestling, there’s more to the story than just new names coming in.
According to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer, these signings aren’t about immediate WWE appearances. Instead, they’re strategic moves aimed at locking down talent for WWE’s interests in the Mexico market. That means fans shouldn’t expect Del Rio showing up on Raw or SmackDown anytime soon—if at all.
“These are new deals, not extensions of their AAA contracts,” Meltzer clarified. “They’re designed for WWE’s presence in Mexico, not necessarily to bring these performers onto U.S. television.” While someone like El Hijo del Vikingo might eventually appear on NXT or even get a featured moment on a WWE show, the broader intention seems to be talent containment—particularly when it comes to keeping names away from AEW.
Why WWE Is Playing Defense
WWE’s sudden interest in AAA talents isn’t just about expanding its global roster—it’s also about guarding against competition. Meltzer noted that WWE is being especially cautious after AEW was able to feature NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer at Forbidden Door. WWE reportedly had a chance to sign her before AEW secured that moment, and now the company seems keen on avoiding similar situations.
In fact, Meltzer suggested that anyone performing on the upcoming Los Angeles AAA show—seen as a high-profile stage—might be required to sign a WWE deal just to keep other promotions, particularly AEW, from swooping in.
The Del Rio Controversy
Of course, Del Rio’s name attached to any WWE-related news will stir up debate, given his history of legal troubles and serious past accusations. While nothing has been announced about him returning to WWE programming, his inclusion in these deals is already raising eyebrows. WWE has yet to make any public statement on the matter.
What’s Next?
This isn’t just about who WWE is signing—it’s about where the company is setting its sights. Mexico has long been a key market for WWE, and locking down AAA talents is a clear sign that the company wants to plant deeper roots there. Additional signings are expected, and with AEW also working to strengthen its international reach, this looks like the beginning of another promotional tug-of-war.
For now, don’t expect a flood of AAA stars walking through the curtain on WWE TV—but the chess game is definitely in motion.
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