Another hot free agent is off the market.
Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. is one of the most respected and acclaimed luchadors in Mexico. The third-generation star has lengthy stints in AAA: Lucha Libre and Pro-Wrestling NOAH. He’s won multiple championships such as the GHC Heavyweight Championship and UWE Tag Team Championship.
However, his one-year contract with AAA was about to expire and rumors started circulating that Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. was WWE bound. It’s well documented how hard WWE has gone after the Hispanic/Latino/Mexican market throughout the years. The promotion keeps trying to find their next Rey Mysterio, though they haven’t had much luck.
Still, Hijo is a very talented wrestler that could hang with the big boys in WWE. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be anytime soon as the third-generation star opted to re-sign with AAA.
Speaking with Mas Lucha after a press conference with AAA, Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. revealed that he did have conversations with WWE, but he ultimately felt that staying in AAA was best for him.
“I did my first WWE tryout when I was 19, there's already a story there, then with the alliance that NOAH and WWE had I had the opportunity to wrestle with some of their talent, and then the talks that were held with the company. Many colleagues are already there, and I'm very proud of them. Congratulations, brothers, because I know how difficult it is to go somewhere else and be waiting for an opportunity. As for me, I choose for myself, my well-being, and that of the person behind the mask is to love this sport, contribute to this sport, and continue sleeping with my mask every day”.
He goes into deeper detail on why he opted not to sign with the company, explaining the politics in American wrestling companies and how masks aren’t particularly WWE’s thing.
"You know what the politics of American companies are, it's nothing we do not know about. They are looking for a standard of tall wrestlers, with good character, and with good physique. Masks are not their thing, there are only three masked wrestlers, Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and now Penta, so it wasn't convenient for me and I have a lot left to do. I'm young, WWE may have something to say in the future but for now, my home is AAA”.
Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. is 33-years-old, so it wouldn’t be impossible for WWE to give him a call in the future if they choose to do so. For now, fans get to continue enjoying his work down in AAA.