Alberto Del Rio Would Be Better Off Not Rejoining WWE

Alberto Del Rio need not be the panting dog by the door, waiting for WWE to let him back in.

His current wrestling life is one of freedom and fulfillment. His body is suffering less. He sees his family more.

So while Del Rio (now wrestling as Alberto El Patron) would certainly add some zeroes to his paychecks by returning to WWE, there are ample reasons to remain where he is.

A year after getting a pink slip, Del Rio may be invited back to WWE. He is reportedly popping up in behind-the-scenes discussions at the company. PWInsider's Mike Johnson reported, "Alberto Del Rio's name has come up in conversation for creative ideas over the last several weeks."

At first glance, heading back to WWE's brighter stage and bigger paydays would seem like the no-brainer choice, but Del Rio's decision involves more factors than that. The most obvious difference between his career today and as a member of WWE would be his workload.

The Backbreaking Schedule 

Since teaming with Rey Mysterio against The Young Bucks on Aug. 1 at Dutchess Stadium in Wappingers Falls, New York, Del Rio has wrestled just eight matches. Were he with WWE, he would easily hit that total in a matter of weeks. 

WWE attaches a saddle to its wrestlers and rides them. Del Rio knows that firsthand. With just two-and-a-half months left to go in 2015, his match total is only up to 49 right now, according to CageMatch.net.

Compare that to what he did during his WWE tenure:

• 2010 (139 matches)
• 2011 (199 matches)
• 2012 (146 matches)
• 2013 (191 matches)

He can make a living doing a third or less of what he did for WWE. That will decrease the chance for injury, lessen the wear and tear on his body and ultimately extend his career.

Plus, it means that rather than traveling from state to state each week, he would have time for his family.

Del Rio told Raj Giri of Wrestling Inc, "At the moment, I'm working everywhere they want to see me, and I have the opportunity to spend time with my family. I get to enjoy my kids, I'm at home four-to-five days a week, I do one-to-two shows per week. I'm happy."

The value of being able to do that is impossible to calculate. 

Even if WWE offers him a part-time deal, he won't have the freedom that he enjoys today. Del Rio can currently work for a variety of promotions against a variety of opponents at the pace he chooses.

He can move from Ring of Honor to Mexico, from Northeast Wrestling to the United Kingdom. And his current status allowed him to take Combate Americas up on its offer for him to announce MMA fights.

Del Rio would struggle to do that as a WWE Superstar. Signing with Vince McMahon would limit his options.

A Shift in Position on the Food Chain 

At Mexico's Asistencia Asesoria y Administracion (AAA), Del Rio is the current "mega champion." For the bulk of 2015, he held the World Wrestling League's World Heavyweight Championship.

At any independent event he goes to, he's the featured performer. At Ring of Honor, he's been a marquee attraction.

At WWE, who knows where the company will stick him.

Before he left, he had no storyline to speak of. He had no clear rival. He was a guy WWE tossed out for filler matches. He'd lose to Jack Swagger one night and take down Dolph Ziggler on another.

He wasn't a priority, and that's unlikely to change should he return. WWE is heavily invested in a host of other guys from Brock Lesnar to Roman Reigns. Del Rio would be assured a spot on the card higher than someone like Heath Slater, but would he be anything more than a midcard act to provide roster depth?

Consider also that many WWE fans never took to him. 

Critiques that he is boring, uncharismatic and a poor mic worker were common. In Mexico, though, he's a major star who receives roaring welcomes.

There's a good chance he'll go from champion to chump if he goes back to WWE. And while there is surely more money waiting for him at the sports entertainment giant, he is not choosing between poverty and wealth.

In an interview on The Roman Show, Del Rio said, "Luckily, I do pretty well in wrestling. I am one of the most paid pro wrestlers out there."

His current vagabond wrestling career also keeps him free to choose only the matches and stories that interest him. Were he locked in a WWE contract, he would have to take whatever the writing team spoons into his mouth.

Unappealing Stories Await

If Del Rio has been watching Raw lately, he has to be hesitant about coming back. WWE Creative is floundering right now.

Kane just spent much of Monday's Raw yelling into a telephone. Rusev spent much of the summer being a lovesick maniac and a spectator to catfights. WWE had Stardust and The Ascension form The Cosmic Wasteland, only to drop it without notice.

Adam Rose has been reduced to a character built around using the word "poop."

There is no guarantee that the WWE writers have anything good for him. It has struggled to utilize a long list of talents including Cesaro, Damien Sandow and world champ Seth Rollins.

Del Rio, meanwhile can be far more creatively fulfilled working with Lucha Underground.

The AAA offshoot is the apex of the medium in terms of artistry. The show has experimented with mixing Mexican folklore with traditional wrestling booking and a cinematic look with a gritty, groundbreaking approach. 

Being a part of that has to be fun. 

Del Rio will find it hard to leave that kind of excellence for uncertainty. And should he get bored at any one place, he can simply pick up and head elsewhere. There is no getting bogged down in an ill-advised angle; Del Rio is the picture of freedom.

Trading all that for a fatter check wouldn't be the best career move by any stretch. Should WWE call, Del Rio would be wise to tell the company that life is good as it is.