Add as a preferred source on Google Alberto Del Rio is back in backstage discussion after recently claiming he still maintains contact with WWE, but a return for the former world champion to the company continues to be treated as highly unlikely.
Speculation gained momentum after WWE acquired AAA in 2025. However, the situation never meant a direct hiring of Del Rio by the Stamford company, but rather inheriting his previous deal with the Mexican promotion.
Even after the purchase, Del Rio was not used in joint events between WWE, NXT, and AAA. In addition, he lost the AAA Mega Championship to El Hijo del Vikingo shortly after the transition, further reducing his relevance in the company’s plans.
The most sensitive point, however, remains his backstage reputation. In 2023, a WWE source had already dismissed any possibility of a return, telling Fightful there had never been real consideration to bring him back since his exit in 2016.
Del Rio left WWE in 2016. Although he was WWE Champion, World Heavyweight Champion, Royal Rumble winner, and Money in the Bank winner, his name is now seen more as a risk than an opportunity.