News Details On How Much TNA Offered To 'El Patrón'

[Prince Bálor]

- Following reports that TNA Wrestling was looking to acquire former WWE Superstar Alberto Del Rio, Lucha Underground announced Sunday the signing of the 38-year-old—he will be wrestling under the name Alberto El Patrón. Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer reported that TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter had wanted Del Rio to appear on the premiere episode of Impact Wrestling on the network. According to Meltzer, Del Rio declined a favorable contract from the organization.

"They (TNA) offered him $400,000 a year for minimal dates," Meltzer noted Sunday on the F4WOnline.com message board in a thread about Del Rio joining Lucha Underground. "It says more about the perception in the industry that TNA is a career killer."

Source: http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news...a-reported-contract-offer-to-alberto-del-rio/

 

[Snowman1]

Can't put into words just how happy I am that ADR didn't sign with TNA. He's one of those guys - like Reigns - with many strengths and many weaknesses. In Lucha Underground, he'll do a great job with the slower, more Hollywood-style backstage shooting... and in other promotions all he has to do is kickass matches. TNA has always been at it's best when it's a more talk-heavy (well... interesting talk-heavy) promotion, and Del Rio doing in-ring promos already doomed him in one company.

As for TNA's reputation for being a career killer? Don't really know how to respond to that. If you're someone like... say... Johnny Gargano, you can probably become a pretty big star on Impact, but a "WWE Reject" like Del Rio would have been a disaster. Plus, given their current creative direction, where would you put "El Patron" on the show that's interesting?

Well all the TNA fans are divided on how to feel about the direction, maybe the wrestlers are, too.

 

[ShaRpY HaRdY]

Wow I'm surprised they really offered him that contract given their financial state, $400K for minimal dates is pretty dangerous for them even for a workhorse well known wrestler like 'El Patron',

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

Doesn't TNA watch WWE? Dude doesn't need money, he's rich! He has like 1,000 badass cars/scarves.

 

[ShaRpY HaRdY]

Doesn't TNA watch WWE? Dude doesn't need money, he's rich! He has like 1,000 badass cars/scarves.

I would imagine they don't watch it too often, although there was a time last year when like everything WWE did it seemed like TNA was matching it.. (ie: DB winning the title & then EY won the title in TNA).

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

I would imagine they don't watch it too often, although there was a time last year when like everything WWE did it seemed like TNA was matching it.. (ie: DB winning the title & then EY won the title in TNA).

The only thing that was crazier to me than EY winning the title was that so many TNA die hards were like marking out over it.

 

[ShaRpY HaRdY]

The only thing that was crazier to me than EY winning the title was that so many TNA die hards were like marking out over it.

Don't get me wrong EY is one of the more likeable roster members (aside from some of the shitty storylines he's been apart of during his TNA stint) but I just didn't see him going over like that.

 

[Leo C]

Don't think they should be offering that much money for one guy. Plus, yeah, not sure it'd work so well in there.

 

[Stopspot]

As for TNA's reputation for being a career killer? Don't really know how to respond to that. If you're someone like... say... Johnny Gargano, you can probably become a pretty big star on Impact, but a "WWE Reject" like Del Rio would have been a disaster. Plus, given their current creative direction, where would you put "El Patron" on the show that's interesting?
.

I think a reason why TNA is considered a "career killer" is the apparent stigma that WWE won't pick you up if you work for or have worked for TNA. Like if you sign with TNA you can kiss wrestlemania good bye.
The last TNA guys that were signed were Xavier Woods and Sting. And Sting has his amazing career to use as a barganing chip to boot.

Most of TNA's roster in that regard seem to be made up of people who either don't think they will be picked up by the E/are happy working on TNA's level, or have been in WWE and don't want back.

 

[Aids Johnson]

Si.

 

[Prince Bálor]

I would imagine they don't watch it too often, although there was a time last year when like everything WWE did it seemed like TNA was matching it.. (ie: DB winning the title & then EY won the title in TNA).

Remember this? LOL
http://www.kayfabenews.com/eric-young-announces-needs-neck-surgery/

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

I think a reason why TNA is considered a "career killer" is the apparent stigma that WWE won't pick you up if you work for or have worked for TNA. Like if you sign with TNA you can kiss wrestlemania good bye.
The last TNA guys that were signed were Xavier Woods and Sting. And Sting has his amazing career to use as a barganing chip to boot.

Most of TNA's roster in that regard seem to be made up of people who either don't think they will be picked up by the E/are happy working on TNA's level, or have been in WWE and don't want back.

I don't think Del Rio is ever going back to WWE, so the stank of TNA extends beyond just WWE not wanting you.

 

[Bort]

I heard TNA wanted him exclusively for 400K which is batshit laughable, apparently their main sell was "recognition". LMAO, a fed watched by 300,000 people a week (at best) wants to attract a former WWE star and multiple champion by offering him laughable money and "recognition"?

 

[Prince Bálor]

I think those 400K were offered to him just to change his ring gear. :

 

[ShaRpY HaRdY]

I heard TNA wanted him exclusively for 400K which is batshit laughable, apparently their main sell was "recognition". LMAO, a fed watched by 300,000 people a week (at best) wants to attract a former WWE star and multiple champion by offering him laughable money and "recognition"?

Idk from everything I read it didn't sound like it was an exclusive contract.