Backstage News On WWE Acquiring AAA

The wrestling world was rocked yesterday as during the WrestleMania 41 pre-show, it was announced that not only was WWE running a co-branded Worlds Collide event with Lucha Libre promotion AAA… they were acquiring the entire company too. 

Fightful Select have offered some backstage details regarding this major business decision. Although there were no reports about WWE/TKO acquiring AAA, it is noted that talent were under the impression that AAA were looking for new partners in recent years. On conversations between WWE and AAA, conversations have reportedly been ongoing for ‘quite some time’. AAA talent were said to be somewhat skeptical of the news, finding it difficult to believe that the Roldan family would simply give up power and hand the company over to WWE, though details are sparse for now in terms of how much influence WWE will have in the future of AAA directly. 

Dave Meltzer has reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that original plans called for AAA to be bought by a separate entity before the promotion would be sold to WWE. AAA's acquisition by WWE has also been "brewing" for over a year.

"It's been something that's been brewing, it's been brewing for well over a year. But it was a deal where WWE would have financial control of the company. They would own the company but not own the company - there would be somebody in between who would eventually sell to WWE. There's all kinds of complicated reasons as to why, but for whatever reason, they didn't do it that way. They sold it right to WWE," Meltzer said.

There were question marks raised about the timing of the announcement and super-show given that AEW had just announced a collaborative event, Grand Slam: Mexico with AAA’s major Mexican rival CMLL. It is noted by Fightful that the purchase was in the works and finalised before AEW’s announcement. 

Another major talking point is the status of current AAA Mega Champion Alberto Del Rio, who in the past was someone WWE had no apparent interest in working with ever again, despite the former WWE Champion often bringing up a potential comeback. Fightful have stated that WWE are now open about possible appearances with the situation no longer a contentious one, according to people close to Del Rio.

This news comes shortly after reports of Chad Gable heading to work in AAA fell through.

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