Former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio had a successful spell in WWE when he first made his debut on the main roster in 2009. During his stint with the company, the Mexican wrestler held the WWE Championship four times and worked with top stars such as John Cena, Randy Orton, CM Punk, and many more. However, his successful first run with the company was nipped in the bud after Del Rio was fired from WWE in 2014 due to “unprofessional conduct”. According to reports, Del Rio slapped a WWE employee after the latter made a racist joke about him.
The Mexican wrestler then made a surprise comeback the following year in 2015 but his second run did not last long as both Del Rio and WWE mutually parted ways. Since then, Del Rio has worked for multiple wrestling promotions, one of which was Impact Wrestling.
Aside from wrestling, the 45-year-old is also a mixed martial artist who once competed with Tito Ortiz in a losing effort. Del Rio is currently signed to UFC as a commentator.
Alberto Del Rio comments on his current standing with WWE
Despite staying away from wrestling for years, Del Rio had his first match in three years at the New Evolution Wrestling event in New York a month ago. Del Rio reportedly believes that he has a lot left in the tank and wishes to have a long career in wrestling.
During an interview with WrestlingNews.Co, Del Rio revealed that he is optimistic about having more to offer to the wrestling business. According to him, he is yet to speak with the new management led by Triple H. However, he also confirmed that he was in conversation with former Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis in the past about his return but to no avail.
On October 2nd, 2011. Alberto Del Rio defeated John Cena and CM Punk to become the new WWE Champion in a Hell in a Cell match. pic.twitter.com/vr0f1PwrR7
— supershocker17 (@supershocker17) October 3, 2022
“…We [Laurinaitis and I] had a couple of phone calls that didn’t go anywhere,” Del Rio revealed in the interview.
On this day in wrestling history August 14, Alberto Del Rio cashed in his MITB Contract and pinned CM Punk to become the new WWE Champion at SummerSlam 2011. pic.twitter.com/16lkPyHv19
— Nicholas Francoletti (@NF201111) August 14, 2021
Now that we know Del Rio is interested in returning to WWE, does WWE have any interest in hiring the former WWE Champion? According to Fightful, there is a very slim chance that Del Rio will have another run with the company even under Triple H’s regime.
A WWE authority figure stated that bringing Del Rio back was never a serious consideration even back when he was in touch with Laurinaitis under Vince McMahon’s regime. He further cited “there is no f***n way that happens” when asked about Del Rio’s possible return to the ring.
Alberto Del Rio credits John Laurinaitis for his success in the company
Without a doubt, Alberto Del Rio was one of the top competitors during his heyday in WWE. No one can deny that he was also as tough as they come in the ring. Further during the interview with WrestlingNews.Co, Del Rio revealed that his character was the brainchild of then-Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis and that he was one of “Johnny’s boys”.
David Otunga & Mark Henry & John Laurinaitis & Christian & Alberto del Rio #Chamber pic.twitter.com/ReWBuAUL
— DR7 (@diego_rockstar) February 20, 2012
“I was always one of Johnny’s boys. He was the one that found me. He was the one bringing me to have my tryout. He was the one creating Alberto Del Rio”. Said Del Rio
Despite being away from WWE, Del Rio has undeniably done great in his career so far. It remains to be seen if WWE will have a change of heart for Del Rio in the future.
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