TNA reportedly attempted to contact Alberto Del Rio regarding a contract signing immediately following his WWE release last week.

TNA’s plan would have been to crown Alberto Del Rio the new TNA World Champion as soon as he debuted with the company, should he have been able to sign. However, with Del Rio’s 90-day no compete clause with WWE, an imminent TNA debut is impossible.

As we reported late last night, Del Rio has officially announced he will be returning to AAA at the TripleMania event on Sunday. This does not mean, however that he is unable to sign with TNA down the line after his 90-day no compete clause with WWE expires.

Next TNA Champ  

realt wrote:

TNA’s plan would have been to crown Alberto Del Rio the new TNA World Champion as soon as he debuted with the company

I call bullshit. They are in the middle of making Lashley look like a boss...

This is the same company that had Eric Young beat Magnus for the title.

(Chilly to remind us EY got all serious a few months before that)

He's most likely not even gonna go.

Why are you acting like I think the EY reign was a good thing?   

Well you defended it by saying that TNA was booking EY as serious character, even though it didn't matter since he's been comic relief for almost a decade.

The guy is a great wrestler but should have never been World Heavyweight Champion.

I defended it, at the time, because I believe his character would change and get altered so it come across far better on TV. That didn't happen, so it was a failure...that has nothing to do with this.

I think it was another example of TNA tendency to blow things. For shock value or to swerve us.

Now that Russo is actually gone maybe there will be less of that.

Del Rio should be made champion the second he gets there. Jeff Hardy should have been, too. If you give Del Rio the belt and then, ADVERTISE your program around him, you might steal the hispanic market from WWE.

I think TNA would really look second rate if they did that. They could put the belt on him but it shouldn't be his first match in the promotion.

Everyone complains about how TNA doesn't push its own talent, it just takes people from WWE and gives them the belt for nothing. Now you're saying they SHOULD do that? IMMEDIATELY?

^ It's different in this case. I agree with Ian. Del Rio has a huge Hispanic following. You make him world champ and make him look strong as shit, and TNA will undoubtedly get a much bigger Hispanic demographic.

2 things. Jeff Hardy should never be World Champion. Never. and Del Rio shouldnt be given the title in his first match right off the bat, regardless if he has a strong hispanic following or not

I don't think it should be in his first match, but it should definitely be fast.

I'd rather them give the title to Samoa Joe. Because, you know, he's earned it.

I would too, but that should have been done ages ago. Samoa Joe isn't going to bring as big of a market as Del Rio. You have to consider the business aspect of it.

I am a much bigger fan of Samoa Joe then, well, anyone on this board.

Joe should be no where NEAR the title for at least a year. They need to re-establish Joe as a threat. Joe getting the title now would be nothing short of stupid.

Del Rio, on the other hand, is fresh off "the big times" where he has mainstream media attention as a hero for standing up to racism. TNA would be fucking stupid not to capitalize on this if they could.