There has been a lot of speculation recently that Mysterio – who was re-signed against his will in 2014 – would be making a return to either AAA, or a debut with Lucha Underground when he is finally granted his release from WWE.
The former WWE Champion also confirmed that TNA made a “great offer” to him, but explained why he ended up signing with El Rey and Ring of Honor.
“I don’t have anything but respect for TNA. They made a really great offer to be and I’m greatful for that. Those guys from Lucha Underground helped me through all the legal process against WWE, so I owed them that. It was not a matter of not wanting to go to TNA, it was just that Lucha Underground and AAA in Mexico paid for the legal services and introduced me to my lawyer. The reason I’m working right now is because of them. WWE wanted me to stop working in the U.S. for a year. … If you help me, I will return the favor one day. Plus, they gave me a good offer. The money was there, and the proposal to join a good product with a good crowd was there.”
El Patron said that he talked to the owner of AAA after his WWE release, and the company fronted the bill for his legal support because they wanted him in Mexico. However, he noted they were very supportive of him working for TNA or anywhere in the U.S., and was under no obligation to sign with Lucha Underground.
He also claims he’s making about 90% of the money that he was making in WWE during his main event periods, but is working only about 100 dates per year. He encourages any of the WWE talents – who he says are only making about $500 per night – to leave the company and work the indies if they have the talent, because there is money out there to be made.
“They tried to pay me $800 for one show. I told them ‘here’s your check – you need it more than I do. I was doing more money when I started in Mexico 15 years ago. I was somebody before you, and I’m going to be somebody the day I leave WWE.’ I was always complaining about the money. And they always fixed it – I’m going to give them credit for that. But it was my eternal battle going to that office and fighting for what was mine.”
Check out the complete interview on The PWI Podcast on iTunes, or at pwi-online.com.
