WWEs developing deal with AAA is getting more complicated by the dayand now we know why the company isnt sticking with the existing talent contracts.
After early reports claimed Alberto El Patron (formerly Alberto Del Rio) was signed as part of WWEs pending AAA acquisition, fans lit up social media with outrage. The former WWE Champions troubled pastincluding two WWE releases and serious legal issuesmade his name a lightning rod. But that may not even matter, because WWE might not honor most of AAAs existing deals anyway.
Lucha Blog tried to cool things off, noting: To my knowledge, WWE did not give Alberto a contract. AAA signed Alberto to a contract when they decided to build the promotion around him for the last year, and WWE will assume that contract when they take over the company. I dont think decisions have been made past that.
Now, Super Luchas Editor-in-Chief Ernesto Ocampo is pushing back hardand dropping major behind-the-scenes details about why those contracts are being tossed.
On May 5, Ocampo wrote on Twitter: 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 hasnt been finalized, those contracts are of no use to WWE, as WWEs contracts are legally distinct and include multiple provisions and clausessuch as exclusivity, intellectual property rights, and termination conditionsthat AAAs do not address or enforce. Thats why new contracts are replacing the existing ones.
In short, WWE doesnt just want better dealsthey need them. AAAs current contracts reportedly dont hold up under WWEs legal standards or TKOs corporate infrastructure. WWE is now crafting its own paperwork from scratch, which includes tighter controls over talent appearances, branding, and termination protections.
Ocampo had already dropped hints about this, tweeting days earlier: The AAA contracts are a joke. Any lawyer could invalidate them. WWE is offering contracts backed by TKO and including many clauses that AAAs dont account for. He also added that WWE plans to sign only around 10 to 12 wrestlers from AAAs current roster, and that those on the list have already signed, with others still pendingincluding talents from rival promotion CMLL.
While Alberto El Patron may be under an AAA deal, WWEs updated approach suggests theyre not obligated to use himor anyone elseunless new contracts are in place.
Do you think WWEs decision to rewrite AAA contracts is the right move, or should they honor the existing deals? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
