A new report from Fightful Select has shed light on the backstage reaction within AAA to WWE President Nick Khan’s speech ahead of TripleMania XXXIII. According to sources in the promotion, the address was met with a degree of skepticism from the locker room, though no resentment was reported.
Several individuals told the outlet they felt WWE was “firmly planting their flag” in the company, with the parent company’s influence clearly on display. However, the talent who spoke with Fightful Select did not express any specific issues with Khan’s speech or the changes implemented at TripleMania.
Khan’s message to the talent and staff was one of reassurance. He stated that WWE was not there to “change the company” and that “it’s still AAA,” with the goal being to help the promotion reach a worldwide audience and increase wrestler earnings.
Despite these assurances, the partnership has created mixed feelings among the roster. While some are hopeful about the new opportunities, others have expressed significant concern over new contract restrictions. These new agreements reportedly prevent AAA talent from working independent dates in the United States, a traditionally vital source of income for many luchadors.
The growing WWE influence is also personified by a key figure backstage. Triple H recently confirmed that The Undertaker is a “driving force” behind the scenes in AAA. The Undertaker is signed to a long-term, 15-year WWE deal that allows the company to use him in a variety of non-wrestling roles.