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Former World Champion Alberto Del Rio Teases WWE Return

Published 07/10/2021, 12:56 PM EDT

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It’s been five years since we’ve seen Alberto Del Rio in a WWE ring. The former World Champion had a tumultuous career, littered with success and some downfalls. However, the downfalls seemed to take a toll on him with his legal troubles surfacing, but he doesn’t seem done with wrestling.

Former champ teases WWE return

via Getty

The Mexican superstar wrestled his last match in WWE in August 2016, suffering a loss to John Cena. He received a Wellness Policy suspension for thirty days, after which his relationship with WWE tanked severely. He left the company in September and stated they’d been making him empty promises.

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After not being given the main event run as promised, Del Rio took his talents elsewhere, particularly IMPACT, or as it was previously known, GFW Wrestling. He beat Bobby Lashley for the GFW Championship in his first match, but his run ended soon after. Four years later, he’s wrestled in many promotions, from IMPACT to Lucha Underground and even WCPW.

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Recently, the former WWE Champion took to Twitter to tease a return to his former home. In his six-year career in WWE, Del Rio won the WWE Title, World Heavyweight Title, United States Title, the MITB briefcase and the Royal Rumble. He was one of the best heels in the business, but rose to become one of the biggest babyfaces as well.

Given his run in with the law, it is unlikely WWE will want to bring Del Rio back. Keeping in mind his troublesome past relationship with former superstar Paige, who is still under contract, bringing him back could cause trouble.

Alberto Del Rio had an excellent WWE career

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As mentioned above, Del Rio had a brilliant run in WWE, bogged down by personal issues. He cited his exit from the company as ’empty promises’. But the former Dos Caras Jr. was a once in a lifetime talent. Within a year of debuting, Vince McMahon pushed Del Rio to the moon.

He won the Royal Rumble match in 2011, eliminating Santino Marella in heartbreaking fashion. He unsuccessfully challenged Edge for the World Title at WrestleMania, but he won the MITB briefcase a few months later. Del Rio cashed in his contract against CM Punk and became WWE Champion.

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He would hold the title again the same year, but his run in 2012 was more fruitful. Despite slipping from the main event scene, Del Rio always remained in the World Heavyweight Championship picture. In 2013, WWE rewarded his efforts with a second title run. Although he left the company the following year, he returned to beat John Cena for the United States Championship.

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Written by:

Nathan Fulgado

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Nathan Fulgado is a WWE and AEW author at EssentiallySports. Having published close to 1000 professional wrestling articles, Nathan is currently pursuing his Journalism degree from Xavier's College. He has previously worked at Free Press Journal as a local journalist.
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