Various: Backstage Update on WWE’s Acquisition of AAA, Joe Hendry on TNA & WWE NXT Being Two Different Styles of Wrestling & Wrestling Programming, Indies/Misc.

Apr 26, 2025

Backstage Update on WWE’s Acquisition of AAA

As noted before, WWE announced during last Saturday’s Countdown to WrestleMania 41 pre-show in Las Vegas, Nevada that they have officially acquired Lucha Libre AAA.

LuchaBlog reported that AAA officials Latin Lover and Konnan had talked about the recent sale of AAA to WWE on their respective Facebook page and podcast show and revealed that AAA talent have been told that they need to start leaning English. It was reported that Konnan had also stated that AAA wants their talent to wrestle more in an American style going forward due to WWE’s recent purchase. They reportedly also stated that one of the goals for AAA is to remove the learning curve for talent that comes from Mexico and goes to WWE.

It was reported that this announcement likely was something not told beforehand with talent in a meeting and they likely found out the same as everyone else. It was also reported that Konnan’s podcast video on YouTube was made private a few hours later and likely him learning a lesson about WWE being more strict with official messaging than AAA is.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that Jeremy Borash, WWE VP of Content and Development, was in attendance at AAA’s March 22nd event in Mexico City. Those spoken to reportedly stated that Borash’s visit is believed to have been WWE’s way of showing that they would be controlling things soon in the company.

Lucha Online reported that their sources stated that Borash will be joining AAA’s creative team soon. It was also reported that Konnan is currently expected to remain as the key guy in AAA’s creative team

Joe Hendry Comments on TNA & WWE NXT Being Two Different Styles of Wrestling & Wrestling Programming

Fightful held a recent interview with Joe Hendry. One of the topics discussed included Hendry’s thoughts about his upcoming Triple Threat match against Frankie Kazarian and “All Ego” Ethan Page for his TNA World Championship at this Sunday’s TNA Rebellion 2025 event.

“Not too hot on his bass playing. I’d give him a two or a three. As an opponent, Frankie is one of if not my biggest nemesis from TNA Wrestling. Ethan Page is my biggest nemesis when I crossed over to NXT. To have to deal with both of them in one night is a tall order.”

Hendry also gave his thoughts about the differences in both the wrestling and presentation between TNA and WWE’s NXT for shows.

“With professional wrestling, I’ve generally tried to do my best. If you go in with that intention, things tend to work out. I’ve gone in and really worked hard as I possibly can in both environments. It’s two different styles of wrestling. It’s two different styles of wrestling programming as well. Learning the different aspects of different shows has been a really great learning experience for me. The more I learn about this, the more willing I am to humble myself and be a student of the game. For me, it’s always try to learn and get better at this job. Two different environments, they require different skillsets, but I can confidently say I’ve delivered for both companies.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Friday’s 69 Anniversario Arena Mexico event for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico featured Titan defeating Esfinge and Ángel de Oro in a CMLL Universal Championship Three-way Finals tournament match to become the new champion.

Friday’s CMLL 69 Anniversario Arena Mexico event in Mexico City also featured CMLL airing a video to open the show with the message of “Mientras exista la Arena México, La Lucha Libre no morirá jamás” which translates in English to “As long as Arena Mexico exists, Lucha Libre will never die.” This message is currently believed to be in response to WWE’s recent acquisition purchase of Lucha Libre AAA.

Friday’s CMLL 69 Anniversario Arena Mexico event in Mexico City also featured Lady Frost & Billie Starkz defeating Las Infernales (Dark Silueta & Zeuxis) in a tag team match. This match was notable for being Starkz’ official in-ring debut appearance for CMLL.

Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling recently announced that the Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) will be making an appearance for the company at their Northern Rising event on May 10th in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

TNA Wrestling reportedly drew an attendance of 2,500 for their April 17th Unbreakable 2025 event at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Game Changer Wrestling reportedly drew an attendance of 1,466 for their April 17th Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XIII event in Las Vegas, Nevada, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

In a recent Twitch stream, Kenny Omega gave his thoughts about his praise of indies talent Kidd Bandit. Omega stated “Kidd Bandit is real special, for sure. They have that unknown quality where you watch an athlete and you want to cheer for them, which is very important. You can’t explain it and it has nothing to do with the moves that they do, it’s not a catchphrase, it’s just the je ne sais quoi. ‘I don’t know what it is, but something attracted me to this person and I want to cheer for them.’ You can’t pay for that in wrestling. Things like that is lighting in a bottle and you have to take advantage of that anytime you can find that.” (Transcript h/t: Fightful.com)

PROGRESS Wrestling recently announced one new match for the card of their Super Strong Style 16 2025 Day 1 event on May 4th in Camden, England: