I doubt anyone is shocked that WWE and Alberto Del Rio has “agreed” to part ways after a tumultuous relationship that has been now run two cycles, both ending badly. Rumors of the former WWE World Championship’s testy relationship with Triple H, or lack thereof and the growing tension between the company and the wrestler over his relationship with Paige made this divorce a necessity, not an option.
In the end, both sides can be blamed for not making this work, as Del Rio is one of those performers we will look back and blame WWE for dropping the ball. Now, with the company’s biggest Latino commodity on the open market (I say he returns to Lucha Underground) what does the promotion to increase viewership amongst its Hispanic community?
Yes, Del Rio was important for that aspect of this business, but more importantly, his work in the ring was solid – regardless of how he was booked. That kind of ethic is rare. So now both sides must take time and regroup, rebuild and continue on.
I wasn’t a fan of Del Rio’s work until I watched matches from the past, how he took heat and worked the crowds. How he used his persona to become the evil villain wrestling needs in an age of few characters. In the end, yes, it will be WWE’s loss and the man who was once the Mexican Aristocrat will find work and become a champion again. Del Rio’s bloodline – with his father Dos Caras and uncle Mil Mascaras – will serve him well in his next promotion.
This is a look at five of Del Rio’s career highlights in the company that helped him become an even bigger international star.
5: Winning the 2011 Royal Rumble
Del Rio showed he was a main event star when he was the last man standing in the 40-man Royal Rumble match, eliminated Santino Marella to earn the right to face a champion in WWE. Del Rio won the match as the 38th entrant. As the final four left standing, Wade Barrett, WWE Tag Team Champion Santino Marella, the thirty-seventh entrant, Alberto Del Rio, the thirty-eighth entrant, and Randy Orton, the thirty-ninth entrant battled for the right to go to WrestleMania XXVII.
Orton eliminated Barrett before Del Rio eliminated Orton. Del Rio argued with a Referee, Marella performed a Cobra on Del Rio. Marella attempted to eliminate Del Rio but Del Rio eliminated Marella, resulting in Del Rio winning the Royal Rumble match. The following night he announced to the world he would wrestle Edge for the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania XXVII.
4: Del Rio loses to Edge at Wrestlemania XXVII
This loss might have been the best thing for Del Rio as he lost the battle but eventually won the war. Following WrestleMania, on Smackdown, Del Rio defeated Christian to earn a rematch against Edge at Extreme Rules.
The plot thickens with Del Rio’s ascension toward stardom because Edge unexpectedly retired from professional wrestling on the April 11 Raw. The company changes strategy, with Del Rio booked to face Christian in a ladder match for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship.
3: Del Rio returns at Hell In A Cell 2015 to face John Cena
It was rumored that Del Rio would return to WWE after being fired the year before. It wasn’t rumored that he would face John Cena for the United States Title. Cena had asked for time off from WWE to work on other projects away from wrestling. It wasn’t a matter of when he would drop the US strap, but who he would lose to. In the opening match, Zeb Colter came out and cut a promo about his new alliance with the man who would beat Cena, forming a new heel connection.
Del Rio essentially beat Cena in a squash match to claim the US Title, which he would later drop Kalisto. During his run, the United States Title was changed to the MexAmerican Title.
2: Winning the 2011 RAW Money In The Bank ladder match
Del Rio proves he is one of the best performers in the company, becoming the first wrestler to win the Royal Rumble and MITB match in the same year. Del Rio defeated Alex Riley, Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston, The Miz, R-Truth and Rey Mysterio to earn the chance at yet another world title.
Del Rio eventually cashed in his contract at SummerSlam, challenging CM Punk after the main event, where he had defeated John Cena to become the undisputed WWE Champion.
1: Del Rio vs Ziggler at Payback 2013
This was the first time I had seen a double turn in some years. It was executed perfectly. This is where storytelling is so crucial to a match. You don’t see two superstars, who had been fan favorites on both sides of the fence pull off such a move. Del Rio playing off Ziggler's legitimate concussion by repeatedly kicking Ziggler in the head.
The fans could sense a turn and got behind Ziggler. Del Rio performed a Superkick on Ziggler while Ziggler was kneeling, and then pinned Ziggler to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Del Rio drew heat from the crowd in Chicago and become the company’s top heel once more.
