AEW Star Claudio Castagnoli Officially Signs New Deal; But There’s a Twist

Claudio Castagnoli has inked a new deal with AEW.

Since debuting in the Jacksonville promotion in June 2022 at Forbidden Door, Castagnoli has remained an integral part of the company.

Following his debut, he became a member of the Blackpool Combat Club, which was rebranded as Death Riders in 2024. He has previously served as the AEW Trios Champion with his stablemates Wheeler Yuta and Pac.

Owing to AEW’s working partnership with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), he made his debut in the Mexican promotion at Homenaje a Dos Leyendas in March 2024.

In late November 2025, he ended Gran Guerrero’s three-year title reign to become the CMLL World Heavyweight Champion for the first time.

During an interview with Sports Illustrated, Claudio Castagnoli claimed that he was the best wrestler to hold the CMLL title.

I’ve always felt that I always want to test myself against the best and see where I’m at. And because of that, I’ve always believed that if you want to see how good you are, step in the ring with me. And right now, I feel I’ve proved to everybody that I’m the best CMLL World Heavyweight Champion that maybe there’s ever been.

Claudio Castagnoli’s New AEW Deal Is A Dual Contract

On March 18, Claudio Castagnoli extended his stay in All Elite Wrestling by signing a new contract that also allowed him to compete in CMLL.

It marks the first such deal for an AEW wrestler. Currently, CMLL wrestlers Mistico, Mascara Dorada, Hechicero, and Persephone hold a dual contract, permitting them to make appearances in AEW.

A press release by CMLL confirmed Castagnoli as a member of its current roster while speaking about strengthening the ties between both companies and opening up new opportunities for all wrestlers involved.

The Swiss is scheduled to defend the CMLL Championship against Hechicero on March 20.