Alberto Del Rio negotiated one hell of a new WWE contract for himself, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. WWE was so in need of a top-level Hispanic star that they reportedly offered him a $1,450,000 per year downside guarantee with a reduced schedule. WWE’s top tier of performers typically sign $1 million per year deals, with bonuses from merchandise and PPV’s pushing their earnings even higher.
Del Rio’s previous run with WWE ended back on August 7th, 2014 after he slapped WWE social media employee Cody Barbierri back stage in retaliation for a racial joke made towards him. Barbierri is long gone and industry insiders have seen it being just a matter of time before Del Rio returned home to WWE.
Del Rio was one of the top free agents around and had been in negotiations with various pro wrestling and MMA promotions. He is the reigning AAA Mega Champion and remains on good terms with them, despite their disappointment with the situation.
Del Rio was booked for 7 big shows for AAA in November. With WWE heading to Europe for several weeks next month, Del Rio could honor most of those commitments, if WWE does not bring him overseas. AAA had plans for Del Rio as far out as December 5th, when he was scheduled to face Jeff Jarrett in a hair vs. hair match on December 5th at Guerra de Titanes.
The big picture plan for Del Rio is to push him as a strong heel before eventually turning him so he can eventually work as the Mexican hero WWE has wanted for years.
News from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter was used in this report. Visit f4wonline.com for subscription information.
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