Backstage News On Nixed Alberto Del Rio Pairing With Paul Heyman, Paige's WWE Contract, More
As we first exclusively reported last week, Alberto Del Rio is finished with WWE. According to sources close to the situation, Del Rio informed WWE through his lawyer that he was opting out in late June.
As noted, Del Rio was frustrated with the empty promises he was given after being recruited to the company last fall. Del Rio had been promised a main event push, but instead was quickly put into a Mex-America angle that went nowhere, followed by being bundled as part of the mid card heel faction, the League of Nations. Dave Meltzer noted in the most recent issue of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that as part of his main event push, Del Rio was supposed to have been paired with Paul Heyman. Meltzer added that Vince McMahon treated Del Rio really well when he first returned to the company last fall, and that Del Rio sat with Vince on some trips on the corporate jet.
As noted, WWE announced on August 17th that Del Rio and his real-life girlfriend, Saraya-Jade Bevis, a.k.a. Paige, were both suspended for 30 days for their first violations of the company's Wellness Policy, months after Del Rio had given notice. Meltzer noted that while nothing is clear regarding her status with the company, she is under contract with WWE until 2019.
Del Rio last wrestled for the company on the August 16th episode of SmackDown, where he faced John Cena. He is free at the end of this month to work anywhere in the United States and is able to now take bookings outside of the U.S.
As for where he'll end up. Meltzer wrote that despite the way that Del Rio left AAA, they are very interested in him and that there have also been talks with Lucha Underground about returning there for their next season. TNA had been very interested in signing him in the past. An obvious holdup with any of those companies is their financial situation and if they can afford him. There have also apparently been talks with New Japan, but it's believed that those won't go anywhere because he's not interested in doing New Japan tours.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
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