WWE holds Alberto Del Rio contract after AAA buyout, wary on return

Since WWE completed its acquisition of Mexican promotion AAA earlier this year, the company has signed several of the promotion's wrestlers and featured many on crossover events. One notable omission is Alberto El Patron, also known as Alberto Del Rio, who has not appeared on WWE programming or at major crossover shows such as Worlds Collide and Triplemania. His most recent in-ring appearance was on September 26 at an AAA-affiliated event, where he teamed with Mr. Iguana in a victory.

WWE assumed control of existing AAA contracts as part of the acquisition, and industry reports say that Patron’s contract was among those transferred. Despite that contractual control, WWE has not announced a plan to feature him on its programming. Within the company there are reportedly mixed views: some personnel advocate for leveraging his name recognition and popularity in Mexico, while others are wary because of his history of legal issues and prior incidents during his earlier run with WWE.

Patron’s status with AAA is further complicated by a storyline development that preceded the takeover. Before WWE’s acquisition, he lost a Loser Leaves Town match in AAA, a stipulation that in storyline...