Cain Velasquez’s AAA Stint in 2019 – Why a WWE-Owned Return Seems Unlikely

WWE has no immediate plans to bring back former UFC Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez, according to industry insider Dave Meltzer, who shared the update on Wrestling Observer Radio. The revelation comes as Velasquez—who previously wrestled for WWE in 2019—has remained on the sidelines since his release from the company in April of that year.

Velasquez’s WWE tenure was brief but memorable. He debuted on the October 4, 2019, episode of Friday Night SmackDown and quickly became involved in a high-profile feud with Brock Lesnar, his former UFC rival. His match against Lesnar at Crown Jewel in December 2019 lasted just 123 seconds before Velasquez tapped out. After that encounter, he appeared only once more in WWE before his release in April 2020 as part of company-wide cost-cutting measures.

Since then, Velasquez has worked primarily in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, a promotion where he has remained active. However, with WWE now owning AAA, speculation had arisen about a potential reunion. Meltzer’s assessment suggests those hopes are unlikely to materialize soon.

Velasquez’s absence from WWE has been noted by other wrestlers as well. Rey Mysterio, for instance, recently expressed on ESPN that he believes Velasquez is “not gone for good” and may return someday, though Mysterio acknowledged he couldn’t speak to the specifics of Velasquez’s situation.

WWE has not issued an official statement on Velasquez’s status, but the lack of movement in nearly six years—combined with Meltzer’s report—indicates that a return is not on the near-term horizon. For now, Velasquez remains focused on his career outside WWE, including his ongoing work in AAA.

Velasquez’s WWE stint was part of a broader trend of MMA fighters crossing over into professional wrestling, a path that has seen mixed success. His brief but high-profile run in WWE underscored his star power, but his inability to sustain a long-term feud—particularly with Lesnar—may have contributed to his eventual release. Without a clear path back into WWE’s main roster, his future in the company appears uncertain.

For WWE fans, the news serves as a reminder that while crossover talent can bring excitement, long-term commitments are not guaranteed. As WWE continues to evolve its roster with new signings and returning stars, Velasquez’s potential return remains speculative at best.