Ex-WWE Champion Claims He Was One of Vince McMahon’s Favorites

Ex-WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio’s WWE career was marked by both major success and significant controversy.He debuted in WWE’s main roster in 2010 and quickly became one of the company’s top stars.

Del Rio won multiple championships, including two WWE Championship reigns and two World Heavyweight Championship reigns, making history in 2011 by winning both the Royal Rumble and Money in the Bank ladder match in the same year.

However, his WWE tenure was repeatedly disrupted by controversies. The first major incident occurred in August 2014 when Del Rio was released following an altercation with a WWE employee, reportedly over a racist comment.

This incident hurt his professional reputation. He returned to the company in late 2015 but was suspended in 2016 for violating WWE’s Wellness Policy. His contract ended shortly afterwards, marking the end of his WWE career for the second time.

Del Rio’s controversies extended beyond WWE, including allegations of domestic violence and legal troubles. Legal issues, combined with multiple behavioral incidents both inside and outside the ring, have created an ongoing reluctance for WWE to rehire him, despite fan interest.

When WWE acquired AAA, the company automatically inherited Del Rio’s contract, but multiple reports have confirmed that WWE has no interest in bringing him back due to his troubled history and the potential risk to WWE’s brand image.

Alberto Del Rio speaks highly of Vince McMahon.

Del Rio recently spoke to Soy Eduardo Bates, where he revealed that he was one of Vince McMahon’s favorites during the ex-WWE boss’ era. He also lauded Mr. McMahon for creating WWE and all his contributions to the pro wrestling world.

He [Alberto] was one of his [Vince] favorite wrestlers. Vince created all the characters; the glorious era of WWE exists because of him… What we have today in wrestling is thanks to him. I was always one of his favorites because of my dedication, professionalism, and effectiveness.”