Last October, Alberto Del Rio returned after a long hiatus to defeat the face that runs the place, John Cena in a US Open Challenge and became the United States Champion. But since Hell in A Cell 2015, things have just not worked out for this man.
One year later, we look at just how bad things have gotten for Alberto Del Rio since his return to WWE. Jose Alberto Rodriguez, otherwise known as Alberto El Patron or Alberto Del Rio, has had quite a bad year and these 5 points will indicate just why it has been so, in 2016.
#5- Assault and stabbing
Alberto Del Rio’s terrible year culminated in him missing an AAA pay-per-view entitled Heroes Immortales. And while AAA was unhappy with the no-show, they’d soon realize that Alberto Del Rio didn’t show up because of a tragic incident. This was because, as Del Rio was about to grab a bite before he caught his flight, he was reportedly attacked and stabbed outside the restaurant.
Del Rio released some graphic photos of his injuries on Instagram and we wish him a very speedy recovery. But like we’ve mentioned before, this wasn't the first instance of Del Rio having a bad year. Oh no, not by a long shot! This was a tragic incident to end a truly terrible year indeed.
#4- Dropping the US title to Kalisto
One would assume that if you beat John Cena clean in the middle of the ring, you belong in the top tier of WWE. Wrong. Del Rio subsequently feuded with Jack Swagger in a storyline that went nowhere, followed by him dropping the title on Raw to Kalisto.
Now we’re not taking anything away from Kalisto, but his own US title run proved how ineffective he was as a singles wrestler. And Del Rio losing to Kalisto, clean, in the middle of the ring on multiple occasions killed absolutely any momentum he had coming into WWE.
From a certified superstar and a bonafide top heel, Del Rio would slide down the card until he became a mid-card performer, and then a lower card one. Yet another example of WWE bringing in a star with momentum and wasting his talent. Hi Gallows and Anderson!
#3. Being buried with stupid gimmicks
However good a talent you are, bad booking can bury the topmost star. Alberto Del Rio was packaged as belonging to ‘MexAmerica’ with Zeb Colter as his manager. A gimmick that meant absolutely nothing and went absolutely nowhere.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, Del Rio was subsequently booked as a part of the heel faction ‘League of Nations’. Of the four members of the stable, Rusev and Sheamus have somewhat rehabilitated their careers. But the damage it did to Del Rio and Wade Barrett was beyond repair.
From a man who looked like he’d wrestle John Cena in a singles match at Wrestlemania, Del Rio was relegated to a 6-man tag team match and subsequently was beaten up by Foley, Austin, and Michaels.
#2- Violating the company's wellness policy
Just before Alberto Del Rio opted out of his WWE contract, him and his girlfriend Paige had been banned for a month prior, for violating the company’s wellness policy. Now while this does not necessarily mean drugs, it was just the final nail in the coffin after terrible booking decisions and an atrocious run.
What added salt to the wound was the fact that part-time wrestler Brock Lesnar was excused for the very same offense. One can hardly blame Del Rio for not wanting to stay with the company anymore. We sympathize, Perro!
#1- WWE interfering in his relationship
Alberto Del Rio went public about his relationship with WWE superstar Paige not too long ago. Their big age gap notwithstanding, the WWE Universe was thrilled to see two of their favourite stars dating one another. However, the company was not as thrilled. Mark Carrano from the office interfered in Del Rio’s personal life, and during the brand split, Paige and Del Rio were drafted to different brands.
One can only speculate, but the smart wrestling fan can assume that it was to keep them apart. This was close on the heels of Del Rio’s affair with Charlotte, which did not end too well. One can only draw our conclusions as to what the reasons were. But, whatever the case, it resulted in Del Rio having one of the worst years of his life.
Let’s hope the following year is a good one for this AAA and speculated TNA superstar. Viva Del Rio, Mr. Rodriguez.
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