Claudio Castagnoli Signs With CMLL, Now Under Dual Contract

Claudio Castagnoli has become the first All Elite Wrestling talent to sign a dual contract with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre.

CMLL have announced that Castagnoli has signed with the promotion, with Castagnoli currently reigning as CMLL World Heavyweight Champion. He will next defend the title at Friday's CMLL Super Viernes event against Hechicero.

Several CMLL talents have already signed dual contracts with All Elite Wrestling, but Castagnoli is the first wrestler who was originally under contract with AEW to put pen to paper on a deal with CMLL.

Claudio Castagnoli made his CMLL debut at 2024's Homenaje A Dos Leyendas as he teamed with Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley and Matt Sydal in a loss to Mistico, Blue Panther, Ultimo Guerrero and Volador Jr. Castagnoli made two more appearances for CMLL before becoming a regular in the Lucha Libre promotion in November 2025 when he defeated Gran Guerrero for the CMLL World Heavyweight Title.

Castagnoli has since defended the championship across CMLL and AEW events against the likes of Ultimo Guerrero, Angel de Oro, Barbaro Cavernario, Euforia, Roderick Strong, and Josh Alexander.

CMLL talents who have signed dual contracts with AEW include Hechicero, Mistico, Persephone and Mascara Dorada. AEW and CMLL have been working together since October 2023.