UPDATE: Both Dave Meltzer and Ernesto Ocampo have confirmed that Del Rio has signed with WWE.
Many fans, especially in the U.S., are assuming that by buying AAA, WWE is also acquiring the contracts. But aside from the fact that the sale hasn’t been finalized, those contracts are of no use to WWE, as WWE’s contracts are legally distinct and include multiple provisions and…
— Ernesto Ocampo (@ocampoxlaw) May 5, 2025
Yes, new contracts. Alberto has signed with WWE. https://t.co/LUVYPKZiUJ
— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) May 5, 2025
Original: Following reports listing Alberto El Patron (formerly Alberto Del Rio in WWE) among AAA stars signed by WWE as part of their acquisition of the Mexican promotion, new details reported by Luchablog clarify his contractual status.
According to the Luchablog, WWE has not directly signed El Patron to a new contract. Instead, the star remains under his current agreement with AAA, where he has been prominently featured over the last year. WWE will assume responsibility for this existing contract once the AAA purchase is finalized.
Regarding El Patron’s potential role within WWE post-acquisition, Luchablog further noted that definitive plans have not yet been decided. They stated that the WWE-AAA deal itself is only weeks old, adding that there is still ‘a lot still being figured out.’
El Patron had two prior stints in WWE, both ending controversially with releases in 2014 and 2016. Over the years, El Patron had claimed to be in talks with WWE about returning, but it never happened.
His past two stints with WWE have been controversial. He first departed WWE under a cloud in 2014 following a reported backstage altercation with a company employee. WWE brought El Patron back in 2015. This second stint was short-lived as he exited again in 2016, citing creative frustrations alongside reported Wellness Policy violations.
El Patron has faced significant off-screen issues. In 2020, he was confronted with serious legal challenges, including charges of aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault. However, these specific charges were dropped in 2021 due to insufficient evidence. El Patron generated controversy again in March 2025, leading to a reported six-month suspension from AAA promotion following a violent altercation involving fans during one of their live events.
The AAA contracts are a joke. Any lawyer could invalidate them. WWE is offering contracts backed by TKO and including many clauses that AAA’s don't account for. Their idea is to sign only around 10 to 12 wrestlers from AAA’s current roster. Obviously, this doesn’t mean all of…
— Ernesto Ocampo (@ocampoxlaw) May 5, 2025
