Konnan says Alberto Del Rio deserves another chance.
AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide announced that Del Rio, also known as Alberto Del Patron, is returning to the promotion for several upcoming shows. For years, Del Rio has been a polarizing figure in the wrestling world. Previously, he and Paige accused each other of physical abuse during their relationship. (Del Rio has denied these allegations and claimed that he is the real victim.) Years later, Del Rio was indicted on one count of aggravated kidnapping and four counts of sexual assault in October 2020 after he was arrested in May of the same year. The case was ultimately dismissed in 2021 when a witness didn’t appear in court as scheduled.
Speaking with Nick Hausman of Wrestling Inc., Konnan, AAA’s head booker, discussed the decision to bring Del Rio in. He addressed Del Rio’s reputation and compared his situation to that of Donald Trump, the former President of the United States. Konnan also made it clear that he didn’t know what happened between Del Rio and Saraya, but he emphasized that Alberto still has to live with that “stigma” for the rest of his life.
“I correlate him with Trump,” Konnan said. “I think a lot of the things that Trump did were impeachable and he should have gone to jail or court or something. And he’d always gotten away with murder, right? I don’t know if he did it or if he didn’t do it. Now, I don’t know what happened between him and Saraya, only they know.
“Obviously it wasn’t anything good because it was a bitter separation. But he’s got to live, bro, with that stigma for the rest of his life. I’ll give you an example. He told me that he had to move from his neighborhood because the other parents’ kids, they didn’t want to play with his kids. Everywhere he goes… He was like a hero in Mexico. And he went from a hero to a zero. Bro, you got to live with that, okay?”
Konnan explained that he has spoken with Del Rio, who assured him that “things would be different now.” The veteran continued to emphasize that he believes the former WWE Champion deserves a second chance.
“Now, how long do I keep punishing him?” Konnan said. “He’s been out of the business two or three years. I spoke to him and he’s told me he’s changed. He sent me pictures of him in Christmas. He knows that we’re taking a big chance on him, and he’s under a microscope and a magnifying glass at the same time. We’re giving him another chance.
“Everybody deserves another chance because I can guarantee you, all these virtue signalers, and all these guys that like to talk about how everybody should be nice and equal, they’re the biggest bullies. How long should he pay? Because I know for sure, you’ve done something in the last few years that you’d be embarrassed if people found out about, and everybody else is okay, but we bully on this guy because he is a public figure.”
With Del Rio’s AAA return drawing closer by the day, Konnan made it clear that he’s not defending Del Rio, but he is giving him a chance. However. Konnan stated that he stop working with him if the former champion hasn’t changed. He also pointed t the complicated situation with Del Rio and Saraya.
“These people that have not gone to prison,” Konnan said. “Obviously, they’re in the prison of public opinion, and obviously, he was under substance abuse. He no longer is, according to him. And he says he’s a changed man. I say let’s give him a chance. If he f***s up, he’ll never work with me again. But go ahead.”
Del Rio recently stated that he thinks he’s worthy of being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Check out his comments here.
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