As WWE moves closer to finalizing its acquisition of AAA, a previously undisclosed detail about the company’s long-term interest in the Mexican wrestling market has emerged. Years before the AAA deal materialized, WWE was reportedly in serious negotiations to purchase Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), the world’s oldest wrestling promotion.
The revelation comes from Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, which notes the talks occurred well before CMLL’s recent surge in popularity. The primary obstacle in the negotiations was reportedly WWE’s disinterest in acquiring the physical arenas owned by CMLL, a key component of the deal from the Mexican promotion’s perspective.
“With the WWE purchase of AAA just about completed, it should be noted that a story that didn’t get out much was that a few years ago WWE was in talks about purchasing CMLL well before the current boom period there,” Meltzer stated. “There were talks. They obviously didn’t reach a conclusion. The only thing I recall from the time is that WWE didn’t know what to do about all the arenas CMLL owned.”
With those talks failing to reach a conclusion, WWE’s strategic focus eventually shifted. The current landscape sees WWE on the verge of integrating AAA into its global operations, a move announced around WrestleMania 41 weekend in April 2025 and expected to close in the third quarter of the year. This acquisition has altered the company’s approach, with a new emphasis on signing independent talent rather than poaching established CMLL stars to build up the AAA roster.
The failed purchase represents a significant “what if” in modern wrestling history. Had WWE acquired the historic, 92-year-old CMLL, the entire structure of lucha libre in Mexico and its relationship with major global promotions could be fundamentally different today. Instead, CMLL continues to operate independently, strengthening alliances with promotions like AEW and NJPW while positioning itself as the guardian of traditional lucha libre.