Ariel Helwani has praised the El Grande Americano vs. Original El Grande Americano rivalry as his favorite current storyline in combat sports. He credited Lucha Libre AAA's production, calling it Match of the Year, Entrance of the Year, Feud of the Year, and Crowd of the Year.
Prominent MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has singled out a Lucha Libre AAA rivalry as his favorite ongoing storyline across all of combat sports, offering the Mexican promotion an unusually high-profile endorsement from one of the sport's most recognizable media figures.
Helwani specifically praised the feud between El Grande Americano and Original El Grande Americano, handing the rivalry a sweep of informal honors that included Match of the Year, Entrance of the Year, Feud of the Year, and Crowd of the Year. His enthusiasm extended to AAA's production values overall, suggesting the promotion has impressed him on multiple levels beyond the action inside the ring.
Why it matters
- Helwani's platform gives AAA significant crossover exposure to a mainstream MMA and combat sports audience that may not follow professional wrestling or lucha libre.
- The endorsement highlights growing mainstream recognition of AAA as a major player in the broader combat sports entertainment landscape.
- Crowd and production praise signals that the promotion is delivering live-event experiences that stand alongside established combat sports organizations.
The commentary from Helwani is notable given his primary association with MMA coverage. That he would elevate a lucha libre feud above anything currently taking place in boxing or mixed martial arts speaks to the strength of the storytelling AAA has built around the El Grande Americano rivalry. The promotion has long been a cornerstone of Mexican wrestling, and reactions like Helwani's suggest its creative output is resonating well beyond its traditional audience.
