AAA World Heavyweight Champion Alberto el Patron (former WWE Champion Alberto del Rio) made his debut for Lucha Underground at a television taping event in Los Angeles on Saturday night.

El Rey sent out a press release immediately following the event, confirming that El Patron had officially signed a contract with the promotion.

As we have been reporting, numerous outlets including TNA Wrestling and Bellator MMA have been scouting the world champion, and he is announced for multiple dates with Ring of Honor for the next several months. At this point it is unknown what level of exclusivity, if any, El Rey holds over Alberto as an in-ring performer. We have reached out to the network for comment, and will provide updates should more information become available.

Lucha Underground airs Wednesday nights at 8:00pm on El Rey Network and on Saturdays at 4:00 pm in Spanish on UniMás.

As we reported yesterday, Alberto Del Rio has signed with Lucha Underground, and the following is the official press release announcing his signing:

‘LUCHA UNDERGROUND’ SIGNS AAA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION ALBERTO EL PATRÓN

January 17, 2015, Los Angeles – “Lucha Underground” has signed AAA World Heavyweight Champion Alberto El Patrón it was announced today by “Lucha Underground” the new Lucha Libre wrestling franchise from Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett, United Artists Media Group, Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures. The Mexican professional wrestler and mixed martial artist competed in his first match in Los Angeles today, January 17th. “Lucha Underground” airs Wednesday nights at 8:00pm on El Rey Network and on Saturdays at 4:00 pm in Spanish on UniMás.

“We are thrilled to have Alberto El Patrón join ‘Lucha Underground’” said Executive Producer and Showrunner Eric Van Wagenen. “He is a bold and exciting luchador who delivers attitude and skill. He is a very welcome addition to our roster.”

Ancient tradition, extraordinary athleticism and a flare for theatrics combine in El Rey Network’s hour-long wrestling series, “Lucha Underground”. The riveting original series introduces American audiences to the high-flying aerial maneuvers, slingshot moves, dramatic masks, intricate, rapid-fire combinations and distinctive wrestling techniques of Lucha Libre, one of Mexico’s most popular sports. Executive produced by Mark Burnett’s United Artists Media Group in association with FactoryMade Ventures, fans will have a ringside seat as masked villains and heroes face off to battle for wrestling supremacy. Some of AAA’s most legendary Luchadores-Blue Demon Jr., Sexy Star, Fenix, Drago and Pentagon Jr. join U.S. based wrestlers Chavo Guerrero Jr., Konnan, Johnny Mundo and Prince Puma and more to provide enthusiastic viewers with an incredibly visceral and explosive experience with a focus on the artistry, originality, intense action and over the top characters that has come to define this phenomenal fan-favorite. A celebration of lucha libre’s long-standing Mesoamerican heritage and culture, dating back to 1863, this is programming that must be seen to be believed.

“Lucha Underground” is produced by United Artists Media Group in association with FactoryMade Ventures for El Rey Network. Executive producers are Mark Burnett, Eric Van Wagenen (also showrunner) and Brian Edwards of United Artists Media Group; Dorian Roldán from Lucha Libre AAA; Alejandro Garcia and Antonio Cué Sánchez-Navarro; El Rey Network co-founder Robert Rodriguez; and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. The series will be distributed internationally by United Artists Media Group.

TNA is fucked lol