WWE Acquires Lucha Libre AAA, Announces Worlds Collide Event in Los Angeles

WWE made major waves yesterday with the surprise announcement that it has officially acquired Lucha Libre AAA, the legendary Mexican wrestling promotion. The bombshell was confirmed along with news of the first major crossover event: NXT vs. AAA Worlds Collide, scheduled for June 22 at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles.

This is huge. AAA has long been one of the most iconic promotions in lucha libre history, with roots dating back to 1992 and a reputation for producing some of the most thrilling wrestling in the world. Names like Rey Mysterio, Pentagón Jr., Fénix, LA Park, and Dr. Wagner Jr. all came through AAA at various points in their careers. The company also famously maintained working relationships with AEW, Impact Wrestling, and New Japan Pro Wrestling, but with WWE now at the helm, expect that landscape to shift dramatically. Coincidentally, AEW announced their own crossover Lucha show for June with rival lucha promotion CMLL.

Fightful Select reported that the deal had been in the works for several months, with internal discussions beginning back in January. According to the outlet, WWE’s goal is to elevate lucha libre’s global visibility while also feeding top talent into the NXT pipeline. The report also notes that existing AAA contracts are being reviewed, with some expected to be absorbed into the WWE system while others may be released or restructured.

One name drawing particular attention is current AAA Mega Champion Alberto El Patrón, formerly known as Alberto Del Rio in WWE. Sources at Fightful noted that while there are no plans for him to return to WWE television at this time, his status as AAA’s top champion will have to be addressed in the coming weeks.

This isn’t the first time WWE has flirted with integrating lucha libre talent, but it is certainly the most aggressive move they’ve made in the space. With the Worlds Collide event on the horizon and a treasure trove of talent now under the WWE umbrella, the coming months could reshape how lucha libre is viewed on the global stage.

Tickets for NXT vs. AAA Worlds Collide go on sale Friday, April 19. The show is expected to stream on Peacock in the U.S. and Netflix internationally.