June 10, 2024 Observer Newsletter: The evolution of the AEW/AAA/CMLL relationship

Image: The Covalent TV

Having Rey Fenix wrestle on the same Dynamite show as Volador Jr., Esfinge, Rugido and Magnus on 6/5 in Loveland, CO, was notable because it indicates at least the beginning of some changes.

Previously CMLL would now allow its wrestlers to wrestle on the same television show as other Mexican native wrestlers, whether they were working for AAA (its rival) or not. This policy also affected CMLL’s long-time business partner, New Japan, which co-promotes the Forbidden Door shows. This is why wrestlers like Penta, Rey Fenix, Andrade and Rush were not able to work previous Forbidden Door shows, even though CMLL talent itself wasn’t even on them. The idea is that non-CMLL Mexican talent couldn’t appear on New Japan shows.

While having Fenix on the same show as Volador and the others would indicate breaking down of what Tony Khan called that Forbidden Door, it’s not as cut-and-dried as that.

Other feature stories in this week’s issue includes:

• A look at this Sunday’s NXT Battleground and next weekend’s WWE Clash at the Castle
• The latest strange development about Conor McGregor’s UFC return
• NJPW president Hiroshi Tanahashi’s comments this week

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