In a groundbreaking announcement that has WWE and lucha libre fans buzzing, John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL), WWE Hall of Famer, will join Corey Graves as part of the English commentary team for AAA’s biggest annual event, TripleMania XXXIII. Taking place on Saturday, August 16th, in Mexico City, this star-studded wrestling spectacular will be available live and free worldwide via AAA’s official YouTube channel, marking an unprecedented collaboration between WWE talent and the premier Mexican wrestling promotion[2][3][4].

JBL’s Return to AAA: A Historic Moment

JBL’s involvement with TripleMania XXXIII is particularly notable because of his previous ties to AAA before WWE’s acquisition of the company. Speaking candidly during the latest episode of the Something To Wrestle podcast, JBL revealed his excitement about returning to the Mexican wrestling scene, stating, “I just got the deal from WWE, not a deal. They asked me to come out to do commentary. Some of you call that a deal or not. It’s an engagement, it’s an appearance, whatever you want to call it but, I’m very excited to go be a part of TripleMania”[2][3][4].

This marks a rare opportunity for the WWE Hall of Famer to step back into a live wrestling broadcast outside WWE programming, providing his insights alongside WWE’s current Raw and NXT commentator Corey Graves. According to sources close to production, Jeremy Borash from AAA gave JBL the green light to announce the collaboration publicly, making this a highly anticipated announcement within wrestling circles[4].

Corey Graves: The Lead Voice of AAA TripleMania

Corey Graves has already cemented his role as a versatile commentator, handling WWE Raw and NXT broadcasts, and notably, serving as the lead English commentator for AAA’s TripleMania XXXIII. Graves’ experience with cross-promotional events surprised many when he called WWE and AAA’s joint event, Worlds Collide, earlier this year, sharing commentary duties with wrestling legend Konnan[2][4]. The combination of Graves’ modern commentary style with JBL’s veteran expertise promises an engaging and dynamic broadcast experience for fans worldwide.

What to Expect from TripleMania XXXIII’s Broadcast

Set to stream live internationally on AAA’s official YouTube channel and WWE’s YouTube platform in both English and Spanish, TripleMania XXXIII will feature a marquee lineup of matches, headlined by a high-stakes four-way bout for the AAA Mega Championship. The contenders for this coveted title include Dominik Mysterio, El Grande Americano, Dragon Lee, and reigning champion El Hijo del Vikingo — a match that is shaping up to be one of the most electrifying in recent AAA history[3].

JBL and Graves will offer English commentary throughout the event, providing context, analysis, and behind-the-scenes insight for the global audience. This is the first time that WWE commentators, led by Graves with a Hall of Famer as co-commentator, have carried such a prestigious AAA event live on an international platform. Wrestling fans should expect a compelling blend of technical knowledge and passionate storytelling from the booth.

Behind the Scenes: WWE and AAA’s Growing Relationship

JBL’s involvement signals a deeper collaboration between WWE and AAA, particularly after WWE’s acquisition of parts of AAA earlier this year. Sources close to the matter revealed that this partnership aims to expand WWE’s international reach while also enhancing AAA’s brand recognition with the global WWE fanbase[4].

JBL’s previous appearances as part of a top heel stable in AAA, including alongside prominent figures like Konnan, Dorian Roldan, and Alberto El Patron, have kept him involved in storylines beyond WWE, making his transition to commentary for TripleMania a natural progression[4]. Industry insiders note that this opportunity was not initially guaranteed but came through WWE’s invitation, emphasizing trust and respect for JBL’s skillset[3].

What WWE and Wrestling Fans Are Saying

Fans have mixed reactions on social media and wrestling forums, with many expressing excitement over JBL’s return to a live high-profile wrestling event, while some vocal pundits debate his commentary style. However, as JBL noted on the podcast, “I may not be your favorite commentator, but this is groundbreaking news.” It’s clear that the WWE legend embraces the chance to bring his perspective to a broader wrestling audience, especially at such a prominent event[2].

Fightful and PWInsider confirmed the partnership news early this week and have highlighted the significance of this collaboration as an indicator of WWE’s broader international strategy, blending traditional wrestling commentary with modern presentation styles[3][4].

Final Notes on TripleMania XXXIII

• Date and Location: Saturday, August 16, 2025, Mexico City
• Broadcast: Live and free on AAA’s YouTube channel and WWE’s YouTube channel (English and Spanish feeds)
• Commentators: Corey Graves (lead) and WWE Hall of Famer JBL (co-commentator)
• Main Event: Four-way AAA Mega Championship match featuring Dominik Mysterio, El Grande Americano, Dragon Lee, and El Hijo del Vikingo

With this historic commentary team and high-caliber match card, TripleMania XXXIII is shaping up to be a landmark event in the world of professional wrestling. Fans worldwide will want to tune in to witness AAA’s premier show, enhanced by the dynamic commentary presence of some of WWE’s most recognizable voices. Sources close to Cody Rhodes have suggested this is just the beginning of more WWE cross-promotional appearances in Mexico, hinting at exciting future collaborations for both companies.

As the countdown to August 16 continues, wrestling enthusiasts should mark their calendars for a night of spectacular in-ring action paired with expert commentary from JBL and Corey Graves — a team bridging the worlds of WWE and AAA like never before[2][3][4].