The partnership between All Elite Wrestling and the Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) appears to be deepening, as a new report suggests that the companies are signing more wrestlers to joint contracts. This strategic move is reportedly being made to prevent talent from being poached by other promotions, specifically WWE.
AEW and CMLL Look to Secure Talent with Dual Contracts
The latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter provided an update on the rumor that CMLL star Hechicero had signed a dual contract with both AEW and CMLL. The report notes that while it could not be officially confirmed, the rumor appears to be accurate. Furthermore, Mexican wrestling reporter Dr. Landru stated that not only is the Hechicero deal accurate, but other wrestlers are also being signed to similar joint contracts. This new strategy allows talent to work for both promotions while contractually binding them to the AEW/CMLL ecosystem.
A Response to a High-Profile Departure
According to the Observer report, this new strategy of offering dual contracts is a direct response to a high-profile talent departure that affected CMLL earlier this year. The report notes that after what happened with former CMLL star Stephanie Vaquer signing with WWE, neither AEW nor CMLL want to risk a similar situation occurring again. Vaquer, who was a top star and champion in CMLL, signed with WWE and was assigned to the NXT brand, a significant loss for the Mexican promotion. By offering joint contracts, the two partner promotions can create a more secure and enticing offer for talent, preventing them from being lured away by the competition. It is not yet known which other wrestlers have been signed to these dual deals.
A Growing Partnership
The partnership between AEW and CMLL, which began in late 2023, has already seen numerous talent exchanges. CMLL stars like Mistico, Volador Jr., Mascara Dorada, and Hechicero have all competed in AEW, while AEW stars like Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, and Wheeler Yuta have traveled to the legendary Arena Mexico to compete on CMLL shows. This week, the partnership reached a new level when AEW’s MJF won the CMLL World Light Heavyweight Championship in the main event of CMLL’s Friday night show. The move to sign talent to joint contracts is the next logical step in strengthening their alliance, ensuring that both companies can benefit from a shared talent pool without the fear of losing those stars to a rival.
As the global wrestling landscape becomes more competitive, strategic partnerships like the one between AEW and CMLL are more important than ever. The use of dual contracts is an innovative way to protect their assets and build a stronger, more integrated international wrestling scene.
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