In a clear sign that the WWE and Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) partnership is accelerating, two of AAA’s premier stars, El Hijo del Vikingo and Mr. Iguana, were seen backstage at Monday Night Raw in Philadelphia on August 18, 2025. Their appearance comes amid increasing collaborative efforts between the two promotions, including an upcoming joint event, Worlds Collide II, scheduled for September 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada[4][1].

This growing crossover marks a significant chapter in the WWE-AAA relationship, which formally took shape earlier this year when WWE announced its acquisition of AAA in April 2025[2][5]. Since then, the alliance has blossomed, incorporating talent exchanges, joint shows, and storyline integrations designed to blend WWE’s global reach with AAA’s distinct Lucha Libre style.

According to Fightful Español, both Vikingo and Mr. Iguana arrived in Philadelphia early Monday morning, just a day ahead of Raw, signaling WWE’s commitment to giving AAA talent prominent exposure on its flagship programming[reference summary]. This backstage presence is notable because it suggests these stars could be involved in upcoming WWE storylines or promotions of the upcoming collaborative events.

WWE and AAA: A Growing Symbiosis

The partnership is expanding well beyond occasional talent appearances. Earlier this year, the inaugural Worlds Collide event was co-produced by WWE and AAA, featuring a cross-promotional card at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. At that event, El Hijo del Vikingo successfully defended the AAA Mega Championship against WWE star Chad Gable, drawing acclaim for blending lucha libre with WWE’s style[3].

The success of Worlds Collide led to plans for a second event, Worlds Collide II, announced officially on August 17 during AAA’s flagship Triplemania XXXIII in Mexico City. Scheduled for September 12 at The Pavilion at the Thomas & Mack Center, the card will again showcase top talent from both WWE and AAA. WWE confirmed that tickets go on sale August 22, reflecting strong anticipation for this cross-border wrestling extravaganza[4].

Sources close to WWE reveal that the goal of these events extends beyond entertainment. Internally, WWE sees AAA as a potential feeder system into NXT, WWE’s developmental brand, aiming to groom Mexican and Latin American talent in an environment suited to their unique styles. Aligning AAA’s ring work with WWE’s developmental criteria could streamline talent transition and enrich WWE’s roster diversity in the future[1].

Triplemania XXXIII: AAA’s Biggest Show with WWE Integration

AAA’s Triplemania XXXIII, held just days before Raw, featured high-profile matches broadcast live with English and Spanish commentary on WWE’s YouTube channel, a testament to WWE’s marketing muscle behind AAA. El Hijo del Vikingo defended the AAA Mega Championship in a four-way match against WWE stars Dominik Mysterio and Dragon Lee, as well as El Grande Americano (Chad Gable), showcasing direct storyline integration of WWE talent within AAA’s historic event[1][2].

According to an insider on the WWE creative team, “The goal is to create seamless synergy between the two promotions, using WWE’s platform to build AAA’s stars in the US while giving fans unique matchups they won’t see elsewhere.” This strategic positioning is helping AAA grow its footprint in the lucrative North American wrestling market while giving WWE fresh international flavor.

Exploring Future Events and Talent Exchanges

Beyond Raw and the Worlds Collide events, WWE and AAA are reportedly planning another joint show on U.S. soil before the end of 2025, though the specifics of the date and venue remain under wraps. According to Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, this event will further cement the growing alliance and expand AAA’s reach to WWE’s massive American audience[1][2].

This partnership has additionally seen WWE stars like Natalya appear on AAA programming and AAA talents receiving spots on WWE’s weekly shows and pay-per-views. The influx of lucha libre style wrestling introduced into WWE storylines creates fresh dynamics, catering to a diverse, global fanbase[1].

What This Means for Fans and the Industry

The WWE-AAA collaboration offers fans a rare blend of wrestling traditions, high-flying lucha libre clashes combined with WWE’s sports entertainment storytelling. The backstage appearances of top AAA talent at WWE events, such as Raw, not only build hype for upcoming shows but also hint at creative story evolutions involving Mexican wrestling stars in WWE productions.

In addition, WWE’s investment in AAA reflects a broader strategy to expand in Latin America and tap into one of wrestling’s most passionate markets. WWE’s acquisition of AAA, partnered with holding company Fillip, is viewed by industry insiders as a major milestone in wrestling globalization[5].

As the Worlds Collide II event approaches and more AAA stars continue appearing on WWE weekly programming, fans can expect a steady stream of cooperative storylines, talent exchanges, and cross-promotion that honor both wrestlers’ heritage and entertainment value.

Sources:

• WWE.com official announcements
• Fightful Español backstage reports
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Dave Meltzer)
• PWMania and Wrestling Attitude news reports
• Triplemania XXXIII live coverage and analysis
• Interviews with WWE insiders and talent scouts

This evolving partnership truly exemplifies professional wrestling’s global future, merging tradition with innovation to thrill fans worldwide.