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Probably the most interesting backstage drama of last night's Hell in a Cell pay-per-view (PPV) happened right at the top of the broadcast on WWE Network.
Alberto Del Rio returned to the company for the first time over a year after his controversial exit last Summer. That and of itself would be intriguing, but the fact that - working under the name Alberto El Patron - he was a major player in Lucha Underground and currently holds the top prize in Mexico's AAA promotion makes it all the more intriguing.
His storyline in Lucha Underground was fairly well wrapped up when their first season ended, and with filming on a second season not yet started (and mixed reports concerning whether they were expecting to have Alberto in the fold anyway), it's not surprising that they're not overly concerned. This Tweet from Executive Producer Eric Von Wagenen confirms that:
Relax, it was a mutual decision. Good luck ADR and good luck to WWE. I'm VERY happy with the guys we have. @LuchaElRey season 2! Get ready!
— Eric Van Wagenen (@EricVanWagenen) October 26, 2015
AAA is a much more interesting case. Del Rio is their Mega Champion, the equivalent of the WWE title, and the company recently lost another major name in Myzteziz, aka Sin Cara, aka Mistico, who jumped to CMLL - allegedly partially due to issues working with Alberto. Coming off a disasterous English-language TripleMania broadcast this Summer, Mexico's biggest wrestling company has had a really bad year.
So far, they're playing it cool with regards to this latest news, as this Tweet from Executive Vice-President Dorian Roldan Peña (which translates to "And now @VivaDelRio is champion in @WWE and in @luchalibreaaa. Soon more news!") indicates:
Y ahora @VivaDelRio es campeón en @WWE y en @luchalibreaaa. Pronto más noticias!
— Dorian Roldan Peña (@dorianroldan) October 26, 2015
Given that Vince McMahon put a belt on his returning star and had merchandise ready to go, you have to think Del Rio isn't long for Mexico. Will WWE let him drop the belt in a non-televised match? Does AAA have legal recourse against Alberto or his U.S.-based employers?
The shoot action may be more interesting than the in-ring stuff on this one, Cagesiders.
Stay tuned.