Backstage Notes on Why Cain Velasquez Isn’t Returning to AAA, Issues With WWE

Former WWE Superstar and UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez was in attendance at last night’s MMA fight featuring Gina Carano vs. Ronda Rousey. During today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer had more insight on why Velasquez hasn’t made a wrestling return after he was released from prison earlier this year on parole.

Velasquez was getting his in-ring career started and worked some matches in AAA before being signed by WWE. However, he was later released by WWE in April 2020, following a loss to his former MMA rival Brock Lesnar at WWE Crown Jewel 2019. Velasquez worked two more matches in AAA following his WWE release.

According to Meltzer, some key names in AAA are big proponents of Velasquez. However, he stated that Velasquez did not leave WWE on good terms, hence why he hasn’t set up a return to the now WWE-owned AAA.

Meltzer reported, “If WWE had not bought AAA, he would already be wrestling for AAA.” He continued on Cain Velasquez, “They didn’t leave on the best of terms,” Meltzer continued before adding, “I don’t think WWE really wants him in the sense of what their goals are. Their goals aren’t like, let’s bring in a Mexican celebrity.”

Key People in AAA Would Love To Work With Cain Velasquez Again

Additionally, Meltzer stated he was told that if Dorian Roldan were running the company, Velasquez would already have been brought back into AAA. Meltzer added, “The AAA people, Dorian Roldan, Konnan, those people that were involved, they love Cain Velasquez.”

He elaborated further, “I was pretty much told that if it was Dorian’s company, then they would have definitely brought Cain in for big shows because that’s how much they think of him.”

In March 2025, Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of attempted murder and more, stemming from a shooting that took place in February 2022. Velsquez was sentenced to five years in prison with time served for the 1,283 days he was already in custody.

He was also on house arrest since November 2022. Velasquez was then released on parole earlier this year.