Since he returned to WWE at Hell in a Cell this past October, Alberto Del Rio has struggled to gain the sort of traction he likely expected he would. Del Rio jumped ship from AAA in Mexico back to the supposed promised land of WWE for a healthy six-figure salary, but so far WWEs investment and Del Rios decision both appear to have been poor ones. Del Rio has spent his first three months back with the company coasting half-heartedly through matches, offering little variation to his routine and generating almost no crowd response as a result. It is quite the fall from grace for a man who was tearing up rings and looking revitalised earlier in the year as Alberto El Patron. This week on Raw his frustration was evident. After having lost his United States Championship to pint-sized midcarder Kalisto, Del Rio was then asked to stand at ringside for the shows unique main event pitting Roman Reigns against a battery of WWEs top (or at least, currently healthy) heels. Del Rio was unable to hide his misery as he stood with his arms folded and a grimace permanently etched on his face. He looked like he would rather be anywhere else in the world.
The author of the highly acclaimed 'Titan' book series, James Dixon has been involved in the wrestling business for 25 years as a fan, wrestler, promoter, agent, and writer. James spent several years wrestling on the British independent circuit, but now prefers to write about the bumps and bruises rather than take any of them. His past in-ring experience does however give a uniquely more "insider" perspective on things, though he readily admits to still being a "mark" at heart.
James is the Chief Editor and writer at historyofwrestling.co.uk and is responsible for the best-selling titles Titan Sinking, Titan Shattered, and Titan Screwed, as well as the Complete WWF Video Guide series, and the Raw Files series.
