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WWE releases Alberto Del Rio

By Rob Wolkenbrod

Mexican wrestler Alberto Rodriguez known as Alberto Del Rio poses before attending a show at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, as part of the WrestleMania Revenge Tour, the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) European tour, on April 22, 2016 in Paris. / AFP / THOMAS SAMSON (Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Mexican wrestler Alberto Rodriguez known as Alberto Del Rio poses before attending a show at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, as part of the WrestleMania Revenge Tour, the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) European tour, on April 22, 2016 in Paris. / AFP / THOMAS SAMSON (Photo credit should read THOMAS SAMSON/AFP/Getty Images) /
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WWE announced on Friday that they released Alberto Del Rio.

For the past few months, Alberto Del Rio’s WWE status seemed unknown. He had an out-clause in his contract that would allow him to leave in September, and getting suspended for 30 days for a Wellness Policy violation in August didn’t help matters.

On Thursday, Del Rio holding a press conference to discuss his WWE future was rumored for Friday. So, it seemed something had been close to happening.

Well, on September 9, the 2011 Royal Rumble winner would be released by WWE. He then released a statement on Twitter. He noted that his “business relationship” closed with WWE on “good terms”.

This closes Del Rio’s second stint in WWE, which began at the Hell in a Cell 2015 pay-per-view. The return arguably had been a surprise, as he showed up to open the show, and challenged John Cena for the United States Championship. Del Rio would defeat The Face That Runs the Place within seven minutes to capture the title, and seemingly be on his way to a successful run with the company.

However, things would only trend down for the 39-year-old. His alignment with manager Zeb Colter in the “MexAmerica” gimmick only lasted for two months, before the duo got split. Del Rio then joined Sheamus, Rusev, and Wade Barrett in the infamous League of Nations stable. The group only lasted until shortly after WrestleMania 32 in April.

Potentially the most notable part of Del Rio’s time with WWE in 2016 is his public relationship with WWE star Paige. They put their relationship out there in the summer, which led to speculation about both of their statuses. Now, there’s even a rumor that Paige quit the company, so she may be the next name out.

Next: Ranking All WrestleManias In History

Alberto Del Rio’s time with WWE has come to an end once again. Where he goes next will be interesting, as he had been with Lucha Underground in the early part of 2015. Could a company like TNA call him? Might a return to MMA even be in his future?

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