10 Times World Champions Invaded WWE

When Alberto Del Rio made his shock return to WWE in 2015, many fans may have known that he was actually a World Champion at the point of his return. During an extended stay on the lucha scene both Stateside and south of the border, Del Rio (re-dubbed Alberto El Patron) defeated El Texano Jr in a bloody encounter for the AAA Mega Championship on 7 December 2014.

When Del Rio made his return to WWE at the Hell in a Cell PPV in October, “Mexico’s Greatest Export” was still AAA Champion at the time, making his appearance all the more surprising - particularly to those in AAA. With victory over John Cena in his first match back, Del Rio immediately became WWE United States Champion, making him a double-champion in the process.

Even with Del Rio under WWE contract, there was hope in AAA that WWE would do the right thing and allow Del Rio to drop the title as closure on the relationship; however, with Del Rio now US Champion and a PPV victory over John Cena to his name, WWE couldn’t afford to let their newest investment appear elsewhere and, more importantly, lose to an outsider. As a result, such a privilege was never granted and AAA was forced to strip Alberto of the title the following month.