In a stunning and unexpected turn of events at AAA’s flagship event TripleMania XXXIII on August 16, 2025, WWE’s AJ Styles made a surprise appearance that dramatically altered the outcome of the AAA Mega Championship main event. Styles intervened during a chaotic Fatal 4-Way match, costing Dominik Mysterio the title and allowing El Hijo del Vikingo to retain his championship in a match that blurred the lines between WWE and lucha libre worlds[3][1][2].

The high-stakes contest pitted reigning AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo against WWE’s Dominik Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and El Grande Americano in a no-disqualification, four-way shootout bursting with interference and unpredictability. Notably, this match underscored the evolving dynamics between WWE and AAA promotions following WWE’s recent acquisition of AAA, highlighting collaboration and crossover storylines that captivate fans on both sides of the wrestling globe[3][4].

Dominik Mysterio entered TripleMania XXXIII with tremendous momentum, aiming to achieve a historic milestone his father, AAA Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio, had yet to accomplish — capturing the prestigious AAA Mega Championship. Mysterio, who already holds the WWE Intercontinental Championship since WrestleMania 41, was looking to add more gold to the Judgment Day faction’s accolades[3][1].

The match unfolded chaotically from the start, with multiple outside interferences including WWE’s Finn Balor and JD McDonagh, AAA’s La Empresa faction (LWO), and additional agents aligned with El Grande Americano. The atmosphere was electric, fueled by the no-disqualification stipulation that rendered every weapon and interference legal, heightening unpredictability[1][2].

Near the climax, Mysterio utilized a loaded mask to incapacitate his opponents and appeared on the verge of victory after an impactful frog splash on Dragon Lee. However, just as the referee counted toward three, an enigmatic masked figure unexpectedly intervened, pulling the referee away and disrupting the pinfall[2][5].

The crowd erupted further as the masked man removed his hood to reveal none other than AJ Styles, the WWE Hall of Famer and current WWE Intercontinental Champion. Styles, seemingly still aggrieved over Mysterio’s previous controversial retention of that title at WWE SummerSlam, decisively delivered his signature Styles Clash on Dominik Mysterio, laying him out for good and effectively ending his title hopes at the event[1][3].

Capitalizing on Styles’ interference, El Hijo del Vikingo executed a breathtaking 630 splash onto Mysterio and secured the pinfall, retaining his AAA Mega Championship successfully for the third time during his second reign. This marked his first title defense since June’s TripleMania event, cementing his status as AAA’s top champion despite a polarized fan reaction that includes chants of “Alberto,” harkening back to former AAA star Alberto El Patron’s reigns and the complex reception Vikingo has received from the Mexican audience[3].

Backstage insights from sources close to WWE and AAA suggest that AJ Styles’ involvement was a carefully orchestrated move to intensify the WWE-AAA relationship and build anticipation for upcoming crossover events. These sources revealed to Fightful and other wrestling news outlets that Styles’ appearance was both a surprise for fans and a strategic narrative device to fuel the ongoing rivalry involving Dominik Mysterio[5][2].

TripleMania XXXIII also saw other WWE stars make surprise appearances, highlighting WWE’s growing integration with AAA post-acquisition. Furthermore, WWE officially announced the next WWE x AAA co-promoted Worlds Collide event to be held on September 12, 2025, at The Pavilion at The Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, promising more cross-promotional excitement for wrestling fans[4].

According to insiders speaking on recent wrestling podcasts and interviews, Styles’ surprise visit was part of a broader WWE strategy to maintain wrestling’s global appeal by merging lucha libre’s rich traditions with WWE’s expansive reach. It also sets the stage for continued conflict between Styles and Mysterio, potentially culminating in high-profile matches at Worlds Collide and future AAA/WWE events[2][4].

In conclusion, AJ Styles’ intervention at AAA TripleMania XXXIII not only preserved El Hijo del Vikingo’s reign as AAA Mega Champion but also shook the wrestling world by intertwining WWE and AAA storylines even further. The fallout from this electrifying moment promises to reverberate through upcoming wrestling cards, fueling the heated rivalry between Styles and Dominik Mysterio while bolstering AAA’s prominence in the global wrestling landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• AJ Styles cost Dominik Mysterio the AAA Mega Championship by delivering a surprise Styles Clash during the main event at AAA TripleMania XXXIII[3][1].
• El Hijo del Vikingo retained his AAA Mega title after pinning Mysterio with a 630 splash, marking his third successful defense in his current reign[3][2].
• The event featured heavy interference from multiple factions, including WWE’s Finn Balor and JD McDonagh, adding layers of chaos and storytelling[1][2].
• The WWE-AAA relationship continues to deepen post-acquisition, with announcements of the upcoming Worlds Collide event intensifying fan anticipation[4].
• Sources indicate that Styles’ involvement was a storyline decision to escalate the feud with Dominik Mysterio and expand WWE’s presence in Mexican lucha libre contexts[5].

This unexpected and phenomenal twist at TripleMania is an emphatic reminder of how WWE’s growing partnership with AAA is shaping the future of professional wrestling on an international scale.

This report synthesizes information from Wrestling Inc., Sports Illustrated, Fightful, and TPWW, capturing the latest developments from AAA TripleMania XXXIII and WWE’s evolving storylines.