AAA’s Triplemanía 34 schedule just got a lot more interesting, and now there’s more clarity on why WWE is running SmackDown in Mexico City on the same night.
AAA recently announced that night one of Triplemanía 34 will take place on September 11 at the Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. Night two is already set for September 13 at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, making this year’s Triplemanía a two-night event.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the Las Vegas location itself was not the big surprise. The bigger shock was the size of the venue and WWE’s decision to hold SmackDown in Mexico City on the same night.
“The surprise was not Las Vegas, since most expected it there, but that it will be in a building with a capacity that can be between 700 and 980 depending upon the set-up. Clearly that is far too small.”
Meltzer also noted the unusual scheduling situation involving WWE and AAA: “It’s also unique in that the same night as TripleMania, WWE is running in Mexico City with SmackDown.” He explained that WWE’s larger strategy with AAA is not only about competing in Mexico. Instead, the goal is to build a lucha libre-style product that can be sold to Hispanic audiences and others in the United States.
“When WWE was able to get controlling interest in AAA last year this was not about beating CMLL in Mexico, although recent actions show that is clearly a goal. It was to build a Lucha Libre product, although one would it’s not really Lucha Libre, that they can sell media rights to and merchandise to Hispanics and others in the U.S. The money isn’t in Mexico and it’s not about appealing to Mexican culture.”
This makes the September 11 setup much clearer. AAA’s first night of Triplemanía 34 taking place in Las Vegas appears to fit WWE’s broader plan of positioning the brand for the U.S. market, while SmackDown in Mexico City gives WWE another major presence in the country at the same time.
Triplemanía 34 is already shaping up to be one of AAA’s most important events under WWE’s influence, and the Las Vegas move shows just how serious the company is about expanding the brand beyond Mexico.
What do you think about WWE running SmackDown in Mexico City on the same night as Triplemanía 34 in Las Vegas? Please share your thoughts and feedback below.
