Mere hours ahead ofWrestleMania 41 Night One,WWEdropped the biggest bombshell possible. Anything can happen onWrestleManiaweekend, as fans and critics alike havepredicted what could happen at WWE’s two-night extravaganza. However, this announcement is a prediction that no one on the outside could have possibly seen coming.
On WWE’s countdown pre-show forWrestleMania 41 Night One, it was announced thatWWE had officially bought AAA. Paul “Triple H” Levesque was sitting down with AAA General Manager Dorian Roldán, AAA President Marisela Peña, the best luchadors from both AAA and WWE’s rosters, and other business execs, as Michael Cole was the one to announce the major acquisition. Levesque also confirms thatAAA will be involved with WWE for aWorlds Collidecrossover on June 7.
WWE’s acquisition of AAA is a game-changer for professional wrestling at large and will change the scope of how these companies work within the wrestling industry.
WWE Announces the Acquisition of AAA
What is AAA?
AAA, or Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, is an abbreviation for Asistencia, Asesoría y Administración de Espectáculos, which translates to Assistance, Advisory, and Administration of Spectacles. The Mexico City, Mexico based company was founded by Antonio Peña in 1992. In 32 years, AAA has not only become the most prominent home of the lucha libre style of wrestling, but the proving ground for future WWE Superstars. Notable names like Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero, as well ascurrent rising stars like Pentaand NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer started off in AAA.
Outside of its local programming, AAA would frequently partner with wrestling promotions from around the world, including New Japan Pr Wrestling, Major League Wrestling, and most significantly,All Elite Wrestling, WWE’s direct competitor. In fact, one of the AAA wrestlers onscreen during the announcement, El Hijo del Vikingo, has appeared on AEW TV in the past as part of AEW’s working relationship with AAA. In being bought by AAA, the business decision places AAA underneath the parent company of TKO Group Holdings, shared by WWE and UFC.
What Does this Mean for AAA?
WWE Will Help AAA’s American Presence
AAA working with WWE is a game-changer in more ways than just one. Working in conjunction with WWE more than likely ends AAA’s partnership with AEW moving forward. In addition, AAA working with North America’s biggest wrestling promotion only helps elevate and expand its presence in front of Western eyes. AAA has historically been one of the most important wrestling promotions on the face of the Earth, andWWEhelping to elevate its presence on American soil can be predicted to benefit the rest of the wrestling scene in the long-term.
