| Promociones Antonio Peña, S.A de CV[1] | |
| Acronym: | AAA |
| Style: | Professional wrestling Lucha libre Sports entertainment |
| Location: | Mexico City |
| Founder: | Antonio Peña |
| Owner: | Marisela Peña Dorian Roldán Peña |
| Split: | Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre |
| Formerly: | Asistencia, Asesoría y Administración de Espectáculos (1990s) AAA (1990s–2015) |
| Website: | tienda.luchalibreaaa.com/ |
Promociones Antonio Peña, S.A. de C.V. d/b/a Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (Commonly referred to as simply AAA[2] (pronounced "triple A"; an abbreviation of its original name Asistencia, Asesoría y Administración de Espectáculos,) is a Mexican Lucha Libre (professional wrestling) promotion based in Mexico City, Mexico. It was founded in 1992, when Antonio Peña broke away from Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) to set up his own promotion to have more creative freedom.
AAA has a developed a reputation for its outlandish gimmicks and characters, and more extreme match styles. In addition to the conventional "squared circle", the promotion occasionally uses a hexagonal wrestling ring. The promotion has had working relationships with other Mexican promotions, as well as several American promotions; such as Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), Major League Wrestling (MLW), and All Elite Wrestling (AEW).[3] [4]
AAA primarily hosts pay-per-views (PPV) events in Mexico, and has also promoted international events in the United States and Japan. The promotion broadcasts shows regularly on Gala TV in Mexico, and Univision TDN in Mexico and parts of the United States.
Between April and May of 1992, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) booker Antonio Peña broke with the company in favor of establishing his own group, along with Konnan, and much of the young talent from CMLL.[5] AAA would look for talent from other markets, as they found and signed Tijuana natives Rey Mysterio, Jr. and Psicosis. The promotion became known for signing top talent, such as El Hijo del Santo, Octagón, Blue Panther, the Casas brothers (Negro Casas and Heavy Metal), Los Gringos Locos, Cien Caras, Konnan, and Perro Aguayo. The rising popularity of AAA caused rival promotion Universal Wrestling Association to go out of business. Peña would quickly sign up top draws, including El Canek, Dos Caras and Los Villanos.
In 1994, AAA co-promoted the When Worlds Collide pay-per-view event with World Championship Wrestling (WCW). The event was critically-acclaimed and is credited for popularizing lucha libre in the United States.[6] Weeks after the show, Art Barr (a key member of Los Gringos Locos) died while visiting his family.[7] [8] AAA subsequentally vacated the AAA Tag Team Championships, which led to the departure of fellow stable-mates (in Los Gringos Locos) Eddie Guerrero and Madonna's Boyfriend. El Hijo del Santo also departed as a result of creative problems, and stars such as Fuerza Guerrera and Blue Panther soon left too when the Mexican economy began to slow down (which resulted in the company's inability to offer as much work). Talent such as Rey Misterio, Jr., Psicosis, La Parka, and Juventud Guerrera, would also depart to WCW in 1996, as well as Konnan's short-lived Promo Azteca promotion.
In early 1997, AAA established a working agreement with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), with several luchadores appearing in the 1997 Royal Rumble. In the mid-1990s the name of the company was changed to simply be AAA (pronounced as Triple A), as the company bought out Televisa and became independent.
On October 6, 2006, founder Antonio Peña died of a heart attack. Following Peña's death, his sister Marisela Peña manages AAA financially; while Peña's brother-in-law Joaquín Roldán and his son, Dorian Roldán Peña serve as operational managers. In 2008, Lucha Libre USA presented AAA's second U.S. pay-per-view, Legendary Battles of Triplemania.[9] In 2009, AAA announced the official release of a video game originally entitled AAA El Videojuego.[10] The game was later retitled , was released on October 12, 2010.
AAA developed a working relationship with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2004. Through the relationship, AAA sent the luchadores Juventud Guerrera, Héctor Garza, Abismo Negro, Heavy Metal, and Mr. Águila to TNA to compete in the America's X-Cup Tournament as a contingent known as Team Mexico. Team Mexico dominated the America's X-Cup Tournament, defeating Team USA in the first round before retaining the Cup against both Team Canada and Team Britain. They eventually lost at the World X-Cup, which saw Team USA defeat Team Canada and Team Mexico in the Ultimate X finals to win the Cup.
TNA and AAA's working relationship would end in late 2004. TNA continued utilizing luchadores, but opted to contract them individually. In 2006, AAA and TNA would again team up for an event in Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, utilizing some of TNA's talent and stage (which includes the tunnel and lasers). This partnership would end after Konnan left TNA in June 2007 and filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against TNA; The lawsuit was later dismissed.[11] TNA would later start a relationship with CMLL from 2007 to 2009, and would begin another working relationship with AAA in February 2010.[12]
On January 12, 2014, it was announced that, with the backing of Mark Burnett, AAA would co-produce a show for the American El Rey Network in the second half of the year. The one-hour weekly program would be accompanied by monthly and quarterly specials as well as live pay-per-views.[13] The show, titled Lucha Underground, premiered on October 29, 2014.[14] The series ran for four seasons, and received generally positive reviews.[15] [16]
Beginning in March 2015, the company announced that it would be known as Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide from that point on, although it is still referred to mainly as AAA or "Triple A".[17]
On April 8, 2017, AAA General Manager Joaquín Roldán died.[18]
On 14 June, AAA began airing on FrontRunnerTV in the UK.
In April and May 2018, some Liga Elite talent Teddy Hart, Juventud Guerrera and Taurus made their return to AAA wearing their Elite League jerseys. On June 4, at Verano de Escándalo, Jeff Jarrett returned after 3 years to defeat Rey Wagner and Rey Mysterio Jr. and win the AAA Mega Championship. Jarrett was assisted by Konnan, who also returned to AAA after 2 years.
On February 1, 2019, AAA announced the end of their relationship with Televisa after 27 years, with the promotion's programming moving to the Multimedios television station.[19] On February 3, after Super Bowl LIII, AAA reached an agreement with TV Azteca to broadcast their show on Azteca 7.[20]
On April 4, 2019, AAA announced its first event to be held in the United States, Invading NY, would take place at Madison Square Garden on September 15, 2019.[21] The promotion also announced that would hold a second event in the US titled Invading Los Angeles, at The Forum in Inglewood, California on October 13, 2019.[22] On August 16, 2019, it was reported by Pro Wrestling Insider that Invading NY was moved to Hulu Theater due to poor ticket sales.[23]
AAA would cancel and postpone its televised events in mid-March 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The following April, a tournament called Lucha Fighters was created consisting of 12 luchadores and 8 luchadoras.
During the indefinite recess due to health contingency due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, on July 20, 2020, AAA announced its project called "AutoLuchas" which consists of a events in Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez where fans could see through from a car.[24] On September 24, AAA announced that it would return to its first performances in early October after the announced project.[25]
In December 2020, FactoryMade Ventures, one of the co-producers of Lucha Underground, filed a lawsuit with AAA; claiming to have exclusive rights to distribute AAA events and merchandise outside of Mexico.[26] [27]
On February 2, 2021, the company signed an alliance with SECTUR to promote Mexico's tourist destinations. Bearing the name of the tour as "Lucha por la Identidad Nacional", this included shows such as Rey de Reyes and Verano de Escándalo.
On August 14, Triplemanía XXIX was held at the Arena Ciudad de México. It was the first event since the pandemic began to have a limited number of fans in attendance for biosecurity reasons. Héroes Inmortales XIV would also have a limited audience present.
See main article: List of Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide personnel.
In 1997, AAA partnered with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to bring in a number of luchadores for the Royal Rumble event and its namesake match.[28] [29]
In April 2014, TNA founder Jeff Jarrett, who was credited for AAA & TNA relationship, had left the company. He announced that his new Global Force Wrestling (GFW) promotion would begin working with the AAA. TNA and AAA would continue to work with each other, including on such events as the Lucha Libre World Cup on May 24, 2015.[30] When Jarrett returned to TNA (then known as Impact Wrestling) in 2017, it was announced that both promotions would continue to be work together.[31]
In July 2015, Canadian-based International Wrestling Syndicate (IWS) announced a talent partnership with AAA.[32] [33]
In June 2018, AAA partnered with Lucha Libre Elite.[34]
In August 2018, AAA started a working agreement with the American-based Major League Wrestling (MLW).[35]
In February 2019, it was announced that AAA would be partnering with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).[36]
See main article: article and List of major Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide events. Each year AAA promotes a number of signature events and tournaments: some shown as pay-per-view events and others presented as TV Azteca television specials. The annual shows and tournaments, shown in order of occurrence during each year, include:
| Event | Previous date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rey de Reyes | February 19, 2022 | A tournament and show held traditionally in the early part of the year. The last event was Rey de Reyes 2022. | |
| Triplemanía | October 15, 2022 | Traditionally AAA's biggest show of the year. The most recent event was Triplemanía XXX: Mexico City. | |
| Verano de Escándalo | August 5, 2022 | Annual end of the summer event. Most Recent event was Verano de Escándalo 2022. | |
| Héroes Inmortales | October 9, 2021 | Hosts the Copa Antonio Peña tournament in memory of AAA's founder; held around the anniversary of Peña's death. Renamed from Homenaje a Antonio Peña to Heroes Inmortales in 2009. | |
| Guerra de Titanes | December 14, 2019 | AAA's end-of-year show, usually in December (PPV). Held in January in 2016, 2017 and 2018.[37] |
| Event | Last Date | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lucha Libre World Cup | October 10, 2017 | International trios/tag team tournament. | |
| Gladiators | June 27, 2019 | International trios/tag team tournament. |
AAA has few restrictions on the number of championships it promotes, often allowing wrestlers to defend titles from other promotions; such as the Universal Wrestling Association. Such titles are defended on AAA shows as a way to promote their talents. This long-standing practice ended in December 2008, after the promotion announced it will no longer recognize or promote any non-AAA title.[38]
This list only includes AAA championships and does not include titles from other promotions.
As of, .
See main article: List of current champions in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide.
See also: List of Mexican National Championships.
| Championship | Final champion(s) | Date created | Date retired | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AAA Americas Heavyweight Championship | Sangre Chicana | February 2, 1996[39] | 2006 | |
| AAA Americas Welterweight Championship | Zorro | Unknown | 1990s | |
| AAA Campeón de Campeones Championship | Cibernético | June 15, 1996[40] | 2005 | |
| AAA Fusión Championship | El Hijo del Fantasma | November 3, 2012 | August 17, 2014 | |
| AAA Northern Middleweight Championship | The Tigger | prior to July 3, 2006 | Never officially retired, but no defenses have occurred since December 7, 2019 | |
| AAA Northern Light Heavyweight Championship | Lemús Jr. | prior to November 18, 2013 | Never officially retired, but no defenses have occurred since March 26, 2018 | |
| AAA Northern Women's Championship | La Hiedra | prior to November 17, 2014 | Never officially retired, but no subsequent defenses have occurred | |
| AAA Mascot Tag Team Championship | El Alebrije and Cuije | December 13, 2002 | April 7, 2009[41] (continued to be used on the independent circuit until 2011) | |
| AAA Northern Tag Team Championship | La División del Norte | prior to February 15, 2004 | Never officially retired, but no defenses have occurred since 2017 | |
| AAA Parejas Increibles Tag Team Championship | Cibernético and Konnan | June 12, 2010[42] | Never officially retired, but no defenses have occurred since 2010 (champion Konnan retired from wrestling in 2013) | |
| AAA Americas Trios Championship | Los Villanos | March 8, 1996[43] | 1997 | |
| LLL Mini-Estrellas Championship | Mascarita Sagrada | 2000s | 2000s | |
| IWAS World Heavyweight Championship | Konnan | January 26, 1996 | Never officially retired, but no defenses have occurred since 1999 when AAA split from IWAS | |
| IWAS World Light Heavyweight Championship | Máscara Sagrada Jr. | January 31, 1996 | 1999 (continued to be used on the independent circuit until the 2000s) | |
| IWAS World Tag Team Championship | Konnan and Rey Misterio Jr. | prior to August 17, 1996 | Never officially retired, but no defenses have occurred since 1999 when AAA split from IWAS | |
| IWC World Heavyweight Championship | El Mesias | November 13, 1993 | September 16, 2007 | |
| IWC World Middleweight Championship | Rey Misterio | August 29, 1993 | Never officially retired, but no defenses have occurred since 1995 when AAA split from IWC | |
| IWC World Minis Championship | Super Muñequito | March 12, 1994 | July 8, 1995 | |
| GPCW SUPER-X Monster Championship | La Parka | December 10, 2004 | September 16, 2007 (continues to be used by Super X Grand Prix Championship Wrestling) | |
| Mexican National Heavyweight Championship | 1926[44] | December 2008 (continues to be used by CMLL) | ||
| Mexican National Middleweight Championship | Octagón | 1933[45] | December 2008 (continues to be used by CMLL) | |
| Mexican National Welterweight Championship | El Torero | June 17, 1934 | 1998 (continues to be used by CMLL) | |
| Mexican National Cruiserweight Championship | La Parka | 1955 | 2007 | |
| Mexican National Mini-Estrella Championship | Mascarita Sagrada 2000 | 1992 | June 21, 2007 | |
| Mexican National Women's Championship | Lady Apache | November 13, 1983 | December 8, 2008 (continues to be used by CMLL) | |
| Mexican National Tag Team Championship | Octagón and La Parka | June 14, 1957 | December 25, 2011 (continues to be used by CMLL) | |
| Mexican National Women's Tag Team Championship | April 10, 1990 | 1997 (continues to be used by CMLL) | ||
| Mexican National Trios Championship | Blue Panther, Fuerza Guerrera and El Signo | March 10, 1985 | 2001 (continues to be used by CMLL) | |
| Mexican National Atómicos Championship | Chessman and Los Psycho Circus (Killer Clown, Psycho Clown and Zombie Clown)[46] | August 9, 1996[47] | January 24, 2009 | |
| UWA World Heavyweight Championship | Dr. Wagner Jr. | August 15, 1977 | October 7, 2011 | |
| UWA World Light Heavyweight Championship | Chessman | November 25, 1975 | September 16, 2007 (continues to be used by JTO) |
| Accomplishment | Latest winner | Date won | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rey de Reyes | El Hijo del Vikingo | February 03, 2024 | |
| Copa Antonio Peña | October 1, 2023 | ||
| Alas de Oro | El Hijo del Vikingo | July 3, 2021 | |
| Copa Triplemania | Niño Hamburguesa | June 18, 2022 | |
| Lucha Capital (Women's) | Keyra | December 4, 2019 | |
| Lucha Capital (Men's) | December 4, 2019 | ||
| Lucha Fighter (Men's) | Pentagón Jr. | May 9, 2020 | |
| Lucha Fighter (Women's) | Lady Shani | May 9, 2020 |