Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, known simply as AAA, is one of the most important wrestling promotions in Mexico and one of the most recognized globally within the world of wrestling. Founded in 1992 by Antonio Peña and Konnan, AAA revolutionized Mexican wrestling by combining the traditional masked style and high-impact acrobatics with dramatic narratives and colorful characters that captured fans' imaginations. Over the years, AAA has become a breeding ground for talent that has transcended borders, becoming a cultural pillar in Mexico and a benchmark for wrestling fans around the world.
AAA is known for its unique style, which includes spectacular aerial matches, intense rivalries, and massive events like Triplemanía, its equivalent of WrestleMania. It has also been the birthplace of wrestling legends who have excelled in both Mexico and the United States, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Why AAA?
WWE's recent acquisition of AAA, announced on April 19, 2025, during the WrestleMania 41 Kickoff Show, comes as no surprise to those who have closely followed WWE's strategy to expand its influence in the Latin American market. AAA represents a unique opportunity for WWE for several reasons:
Expanding Latin Market: The Latin audience, both in the United States and Latin America, is a key segment for wrestling. AAA, with its cultural roots in Mexico and growing popularity in the U.S., offers WWE a platform to connect with this audience more authentically.
Elite Talent: AAA has been home to some of the most iconic and talented wrestlers in wrestling, many of whom are already familiar to WWE fans. This acquisition allows WWE to integrate these stars into its roster and create new rivalries that will excite fans. .
Competition with AEW: With All Elite Wrestling (AEW) looking to expand its influence and billionaire Khans as potential buyers of AAA, WWE needed to act quickly to secure this strategic asset and maintain its dominance in the global wrestling industry.
Let's take a look back at history...
The return of Latin stars to AAA
In recent years, WWE experienced a "Latino exodus" when several of its Mexican-born wrestlers, such as Sin Cara (then known as Myzteziz), Alberto Del Río (Alberto El Patrón), and Rey Mysterio, left the company. These wrestlers found a new home in AAA, a promotion that, in many cases, was their starting point in wrestling. For them, returning to AAA was like coming home, as this company saw them rise to stardom.
AAA had already begun to gain ground in the American market through partnerships like Lucha Underground, a television program that blended wrestling with a cinematic narrative and introduced many AAA wrestlers to North American audiences. This was a crucial first step in the promotion's internationalization.
AAA legends who conquered the world
AAA has been the birthplace of some of the biggest names who rose to prominence in American promotions like WCW during the 1990s. Wrestlers like Psicosis (Nicho el Millonario), L.A. Park (the original La Parka), and Juventud Guerrera became prominent figures in WCW, bringing the Mexican wrestling style to a global audience. All of them began their careers in AAA, demonstrating the promotion's ability to produce world-class talent.
Expansion in the US with live events
AAA attempted to conquer the American market with events like Invades LA and Invades NY, held in cities with large Latino communities. These events featured matches focused on pure technique, without a long narrative, showcasing the essence of Mexican wrestling: impressive acrobatics and top-level athleticism.
International collaborations
AAA has had a close relationship with several major promotions. For years, it worked with TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling) and later with AEW, allowing its wrestlers to reach wider audiences. For example, AEW's debut on TNT in 2019 led to AAA talents like Pentagon Jr. (Penta El Zero Miedo), Rey Fénix, Hijo del Vikingo, Taurus, Komander, and Laredo Kid becoming recognized by wrestling fans in the U.S.
Additionally, AAA expanded its television reach in Latin America by moving from Televisa to networks such as Multimedios, TV Azteca, and Space, covering almost the entire continent. It also invited international promotions such as Dragon gate, TNA, ROH, NOAH, NJPW, and NWA to participate in its "World Cup" events, strengthening its global presence.
Relationship with AEW and the change of direction
AAA had a historic moment by simultaneously working with two major American promotions: TNA and AEW. While TNA "invaded" AAA's storylines, AEW supported AAA against this invasion, creating a dynamic scenario that benefited everyone. However, this relationship became complicated when Cody Rhodes, a key AEW figure who also appeared in AAA, returned to WWE in 2022. Shortly after, AEW began collaborating with CMLL (AAA's main rival in Mexico), although it maintained that it had not severed ties with AAA.
The "Origins" tour and the arrival of JBL
On their "Orígenes" tour, AAA decided to return to their roots, resurrecting old factions and rivalries that had marked their history. During this period, a new heel faction called "El Ojo" was introduced, led by JBL, who came to AAA using the same name he used in WWE (something unusual in wrestling). Within the storyline, JBL played an investor interested in buying AAA, a narrative that, curiously, foreshadowed the actual acquisition by WWE.
WWE's interest in the Latin market
WWE has shown a consistent interest in the Latin market over the years. From events like "When Worlds Collide" in 1994 (a crossover between AAA and WCW that WWE can now claim as part of its legacy after acquiring AAA) to initiatives like Super Astros in the late 1990s in collaboration with AAA and Univision, WWE has always sought to connect with this audience. Additionally, NXT has begun to include talent from other promotions, such as TNA, indicating an openness to collaborations that now extends to AAA.
The AAA purchase: an inevitable move
WWE's acquisition of AAA was an expected move, especially considering the competition with AEW. With billionaires Khan (AEW's owners) as potential buyers, WWE needed to act quickly to secure AAA and its talent. The purchase not only strengthens WWE's presence in the Latin American market, but also allows it to host crossover events such as the upcoming "Worlds Collide," announced for June 7, 2025, at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, where NXT stars will face off against AAA wrestlers.