WWE Imposes Restrictions on AAA Talent After Takeover

WWE’s takeover of AAA has already brought tons of changes, especially when it comes to production as well as in-ring style. However, there appear to be some restrictions imposed on AAA talent as well now.

According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Nick Khan spoke to the talent before TripleMania, making it clear that WWE was not there to take over AAA. Instead, he said their goal was to help the wrestlers gain global exposure and ultimately earn more money.

“Nick Khan gave a speech to the talent before TripleMania and told them he wanted to make it clear that WWE is not there to take over the product. They are only there to assist them in being seen globally, and to ultimately put more money into all of their pockets.”

Some wrestlers were cautiously optimistic but pointed out issues with the new contract rules. They explained that while they are allowed to take small bookings in Mexico, they are not allowed to accept U.S. bookings on the same night in cities where they usually work and could make twenty times more money.

This means AAA talent is restricted from working independent or regular shows in the U.S., but they still have the freedom to work events in Mexico.

“A couple of the wrestlers afterwards were saying that they were hopeful it’s true but noted that with the new restrictions in their contracts, they are allowed to take a small booking in Mexico, but the contracts don’t allow them to take a U.S. booking the same night in a city they had worked regularly that would pay them 20x that amount.

So it sounds like AAA talent is not allowed to work independent Lucha or regular shows in the U.S. but don’t have a restriction in Mexico.”

We will have to wait and see whether these restrictions will ultimately make AAA talent unhappy or whether they will ultimately just accept the situation for what it is. After all, WWE and AAA are still determined to make a solid product and so far, that’s exactly what they are doing.

Do you think these restrictions will hurt AAA wrestlers in the long run, or will the global exposure from WWE make up for the loss of U.S. bookings? Sound off in the comments.