Last night, Alberto Del Rio headlined WWE Smackdown Live in a singles match against John Cena, and while nothing has been confirmed, there’s a possibility the match might have been the last we see of “Mexico’s greatest export” in WWE.
Earlier today WWE announced Del Rio has been suspended 30 days for a violation of the company’s Wellness Policy, and the suspension is effective tomorrow, August 18th. That means the earliest Del Rio could return to WWE is on September 17th at the Smackdown live event in Springfield, MO. Smackdown has another live event the following night at the Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
It’s worth noting that last month we reported Del Rio has been unhappy with how he’s been used in WWE, and that he might leave the company once his contract expires in October. Furthermore, Wrestling Observer Radio host Dave Meltzer noted around the same time that there was talk of Del Rio having an out clause in his WWE contract, which he might be able to enact in September. If Del Rio does indeed have an out clause, and it can be enacted prior to the end of his 30 day suspension, then last night’s appearance on Smackdown Live might have been the last we see of Del Rio in WWE should he decide to leave.
On the subject of Del Rio and his real life girlfriend and WWE star Paige, Meltzer noted Del Rio may be getting in a bit of trouble in WWE due to Paige’s social media activity, and Meltzer added he didn’t think anyone would actually come out and say that much, but he believed that to be the case.
With regards to where Del Rio might end up, in a recent interview while doing promotional work in India, Del Rio seemed down on the idea of signing with TNA. He had the following to say on why he chose to re-sign with WWE over TNA last year.
“At the end of the day you can love what you do, but you have to be rewarded. If somebody wants to have me in their organization, they have to pay me, and there is no other place like WWE, which is a major league of progress and growth. TNA does not have the wherewithal as WWE does.”
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
