Alberto Del Rio's contract expires later this year and he has indicated to people backstage in WWE he intends to leave. There's a likelihood that this could be a full on retirement, sure he could go back to Mexico, but financially and creatively it offers him nothing. Del Rio has been there and done that, making big money along the way. He is only 36 and has only wrestled for 14 years, but he must be ready for the down time, he has worked in a toll taking style with the strain of MMA competition also wearing on him along the way. Physically he has experienced more hurt than many stars will ever go through in much longer careers. WWE have got the best out of Del Rio, he has been a main event star for the last few years, but really has little area for growth in future years. He has peaked. However he is still a significant loss because he is one of only a handful of workers who can be considered elite in the ring. Whoever he faces and whatever he does, Alberto Del Rio is an in-ring master. That's a big commodity for WWE to have, they need established stars like him who can make others look good. Replacing the reliable upper to main event act will be tricky. Retirement Verdict: 2014 or a reduced schedule in Mexico.
