The inevitable has finally happened. WWE has released a statement that Jose Rodriguez, better known to all of us as Alberto Del Rio, has been released by the company in what has been described as a mutual agreement.
The news isn’t shocking as the former WWE World Champion has been the subject of rumors having to do with his unhappiness with management since he made his return at Hell in a Cell last year, defeating John Cena in what was essentially a squash match for the United States Heavyweight Title.
The wrestling promotion issued a short statement stating the news of Del Rio’s release.
According to Rolling Stone, the reason for his release might have been because of “backstage trouble” but it has not been confirmed. Del Rio had been released from WWE before in 2014 for what was reported as "unprofessional conduct" following an altercation with an employee who allegedly made a racist joke.
There are rumors as well that Del Rio’s girlfriend, Paige, has quit within the past 24-hours as well. The two were suspended from the company last month, within a day of each other, for violating the company’s wellness policy.
Although nothing has been confirmed, there could have been a variety of reasons for the parting of ways. Here are five of them, which are still purely speculative.
#5 Conflict with Triple H
When Del Rio left Lucha Underground under a cloud of controversy (see a theme here?), it was reported that he was promised a push toward the main event and a possible title run from Triple H.
That never materialized. He came back and replaced John Cena as the United States Champion, but was defeated by Kalisto. He publically complained that he was not given what was promised upon his return. After his title run, and chasing Kalisto for the belt, he never received another title shot.
#4 The treatment of Paige
This is where love and wrestling do not mix.
The relationship between Paige and Del Rio was believed to be frowned upon by the McMahon Family – which is odd in itself. The two went public on social media about their relationship, which struck a nerve internally with management.
Paige remained on Raw and Del Rio was drafted to Smackdown Live. There are stories circulating that Paige was threatened to break up with her boyfriend or be fired. She is also rumored to have sought legal counsel regarding WWE’s demands.
Enough cause for Del Rio to have taken a stand, and that means finding his own way, away from the interfering WWE.
#3 The violation of the Wellness Policy
There is no reason given why both Del Rio and Paige were suspended for whatever they “did” that was in violation. WWE’s policy is supposed to be random, but interesting enough the both of them were tested around the same time and were found to both have been in violation.
The company suspended both of them at a time when it was known Triple H and the McMahons still disliked their relationship. It only seems coincidental, but maybe there was more to it than that.
Roman was pushed down the card when he failed a drug test. Del Rio was pushed out.
#2 Bad booking
The League of Nations was a flop. The booking of Del Rio, who is one of the more talented superstars on the roster, hardly deserved to be treated in that way . Del Rio was a semi-finalist in the WWE World Title tournament that Roman Reigns eventually won.
After that, he has been nothing more than a lower mid card wrestler who has been essentially a jobber for upcoming superstars on the roster. He helped Kalisto get over, but after their feud and Kalisto dropping the US Title to Rusev, he has gone nowhere as well.
He was promised a main event push and the opportunity to be the next Paul Heyman guy by Vince McMahon. Well, those promises never say the light of the day.
#1 No true place in the company
This is not just an issue with Del Rio, but the entire roster once the superstars of NXT started to make their way to the Bristol. AJ Styles has been elevated to the top heel on Smackdown Live. Kevin Owens is the top heel on Raw. Rusev is the US Champion and Sheamus and Cesaro are in a solid feud for a title shot on Raw.
Where exactly does Del Rio fit?
Also, WWE has not done a good job of representing the Latino wrestling community. Altogether, it’s an epic failure, that only really had one outcome.
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