WWE Signing Multiple AAA Stars to Deals Isn’t What It Seems

There’s been a major update on WWE’s growing involvement with Lucha Libre promotion AAA, and it’s not as straightforward as it first appeared.

Earlier today, Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that several AAA stars — including Microman, La Hiedra, La Parka, Faby Apache, Nino Hamburguesa, Mesias, and Lady Flammer — have signed WWE contracts.

Meltzer suggested this was a sweeping move by WWE to lock down talent that might otherwise appear in AEW, especially as WWE prepares to absorb more international content. He stated:

“At this point I would strongly suspect everyone on the Triplemania show is under a WWE contract since WWE owns the company and isn’t putting anyone on it’s platform that can legally walk into AEW.”

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But Cassidy Haynes of BodySlam.net followed up by speaking directly with sources familiar with the deal — and what he learned tells a slightly different story.

According to Haynes’ sources, the WWE contracts currently signed by the AAA names listed above are for merchandise purposes only. The talents are still under AAA contracts, which means they can continue to take independent wrestling dates unless that situation changes.

“At this time, the recent WWE contracts signed by several AAA talents are for merchandise only and that they are still under contract with AAA.”

In contrast to other previously reported deals — such as those for Psycho Clown, Mr. Iguana, and Dr. Wagner Jr. — these new signings are not exclusive to WWE. Those three are currently bound to WWE and unable to work outside shows. That’s not yet the case for the new batch of AAA wrestlers.

One source made it clear that this could all change fast. WWE has the flexibility to alter these terms and bring those wrestlers in-house should they choose to.

“It was stressed to me that could all change at any moment, but for now AAA contracted talents are still able to take outside bookings.”

Bottom line — WWE might not be locking these AAA stars in just yet, but they’ve already slapped their name on the merch, which means the chess pieces are definitely moving. It’s not a matter of if WWE pulls the trigger on bringing them in full-time — it’s when.

Do you think WWE’s merch-first strategy is just a slow play toward fully acquiring AAA talent? Or will this partnership stay limited to branding? Drop your thoughts below.