Youth And The World Championship: How 10 Top Wrestling Companies Book New Stars
6. Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
AAA has a slightly complicated championship past (though not as bad CMLL).
Breaking ground in 1992 after booker Antonio Peña led a secession from CMLL, AAA would drain the bigger promotion of its young and exciting talent, including the likes of Eddy Guerrero, Konnan, Octagón and Máscara Sagrada, before adding promising figures Rey Mysterio Jr. and Psicosis.
In the prevailing "Golden Years" experienced by the company – which included the legendary 'When Worlds Collide' PPV – AAA would utilise the Mexican National Heavyweight Championship as its top championship, eventually adding the historical Mexican National Heavyweight Championship in 1996.
During these Peña-led years, youth was able to shine on occasion, with Konnan, Cibernético, Mr. Águila, El Zorro and Héctor Garza all getting a shine, alongside over-40s Cien Caras, Perro Aguayo and El Cobarde II bringing the average up to 34. After Peña's death in 2006, the two championships were merged with the lesser-acclaimed GPCW SUPER-X Monster and UWA World Light Heavyweight Championships to create the dedicated AAA Mega Championship.
The fresh era under new GM Joaquín Roldán didn't exactly usher in a fresh wave of championship contenders, with El Texano Jr.’s 2+ year reign from 2012 being the sole new Champion reign for someone under 30.