Background
Since 1997 and every year except 2020, the Mexican Lucha Libre , or professional wrestling, company AAA has held a Rey de Reyes (Spanish for "King of Kings") show in the spring. The 1997 version was held in February, [1] while all subsequent Rey de Reyes shows were held in March. As part of their annual Rey de Reyes event AAA holds the eponymous Rey de Reyes tournament to determine that specific year's Rey. [2] Most years the show hosts both the qualifying round and the final match, but on occasion the qualifying matches have been held prior to the event as part of AAA's weekly television shows. [3] The traditional format consists of four preliminary rounds, each a Four-man elimination match with each of the four winners face off in the tournament finals, again under elimination rules. [1] There have been years where AAA has employed a different format to determine a winner. [3] The winner of the Rey de Reyes tournament is given a large ornamental sword to symbolize their victory, but is normally not guaranteed any other rewards for winning the tournament, although some years becoming the Rey de Reyes has earned the winner a match for the AAA Mega Championship. From 1999 through 2009 AAA also held an annual Reina de Reinas ("Queen of Queens") tournament, but later turned that into an actual championship that could be defended at any point during the year, abandoning the annual tournament concept. [4] [5] [6]
During Guerra de Titanes on December 20, 2025, AAA announced that Rey de Reyes will take place on March 14, 2026, in Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla at the Auditorio GNP Seguros. [7]
Storylines
Rey de Reyes will feature professional wrestling matches that involve wrestlers from scripted feuds. The wrestlers will portray either heels (referred to as rudos in Mexico, those that play the part of the "bad guys") or faces (técnicos in Mexico, the "good guy" characters) as they performed. [8]
On the January 24 episode of Lucha Libre AAA, Penta announced the format of the 2026 Rey de Reyes tournament. It would consist of four fatal four-way qualifying matches. The winners of those matches would compete in a fatal four-way tournament final for an opportunity to challenge for the AAA Mega Championship. Penta will present the signature sword to the winner of the tournament. The tournament began on the January 31 episode where La Parka defeated Jack Cartwheel, Aero Star, and Apollo Crews. [9] [10] On the following episode, "The Original" El Grande Americano attacked El Grande Americano backstage and handcuffed him to take his spot in that night's qualifying match. He went on to defeat Octagón Jr., Dragon Lee, and Rey Fénix. [11] On the February 28 episode, El Grande Americano accused "The Original" El Grande Americano of being a fake, citing the use of AI to appear to be able to speak Spanish. Pimpinela Escarlata confronted "The Original" El Grande Americano about El Grande Americano's claim, leading to Escarlata getting assaulted and unable to participate in that night's qualifier. Escarlata asked El Grande Americano to replace him, which he accepted. He went on to defeat Ethan Page, Omos, and El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. to earn the third spot in the Rey de Reyes tournament final. [12]
On the February 14 episode of Lucha Libre AAA, War Raiders (Erik and Ivar) defeated Los Americanos (Rayo Americano and Bravo Americano) and Money Machine (Garra de Oro and Colmillo de Plata) in a three-way tag team match to earn a shot at the AAA World Tag Team Championship. [13] A match for the title between defending champions Pagano and Psycho Clown and the War Raiders at Rey de Reyes was made official on the February 21 episode. [14]
At Worlds Collide on September 12, 2025, Dominik Mysterio won the AAA Mega Championship by dethroning El Hijo del Vikingo. [15] Vikingo attempted to earn another shot at the title by competing in a triple threat match against Dragon Lee and El Grande Americano at AAA Alianzas on September 27, but he failed to win the match as Lee came out victorious. [16] At Héroes Inmortales XVII on October 20, Vikingo and Americano had a confrontation that led to a brawl. Later that night, Mysterio defeated Lee to retain the title. After the match, Vikingo and Lee attacked Mysterio, but their attack stopped when Americano came out to help Mysterio. After Vikingo and Lee left the ring, Mysterio set up a tag team match between the two pairs. [17] At AAA Alianzas on November 22, Mysterio and Americano defeated Vikingo and Lee. [18] On the January 31, 2026, episode of Lucha Libre AAA, Vikingo defeated Americano and became the next challenger for the AAA Mega Championship. Mysterio revealed that he will defend his title against Vikingo in the main event of Rey de Reyes. [19] On the February 7 episode, Vikingo proposed to have Mysterio's hair to also be on the line in their upcoming title match. He stated he will seek his answer in their contract signing two weeks later. [20] At their contract signing on the February 21 episode, Mysterio stated that if Vikingo loses, he can never challenge Mysterio for the title. Vikingo added on to the stipulations by disregarding his previous proposal and stated that their match will be a No Disqualification match and if Mysterio loses, he must leave AAA forever. [21]
