Heavy Metal later appeared in the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) because of AAA and WWF having a free exchange talent agreement. His first appearances was at the Royal Rumble where he teamed with Jerry Estrada and Fuerza Guerrera to face Héctor Garza, Perro Aguayo, and El Canek. The results saw Perro Aguayo pinned Heavy Metal for the win. In 1997 at the event of Rey de Reyes, Heavy Metal participated in the first ever Rey de Reyes tournament. Heavy Metal defeated Blue Demon, Jr., Maniaco and May Flowers to qualify for the final. In the final Metal was close to win but lost to Latin Lover making him the first winner of the Rey de Reyes. Heavy Metal was later involved in a Lucha De Apuestas match at Triplemanía. Heavy Metal teamed with Leon Negro and defeated the teams of Latin Lover and Perro Aguayo, Jr., Jerry Estrada and El Picudo and May Flowers and Halcón Dorado, Jr. Halcón Dorado, Jr. got his hair shaved off when he got pinned by Leon Negro. AAA later had another Triplemania event in 1997 this time Heavy Metal was feuding with Sangre Chicana. At the event, Chicana defeated Metal by disqualification. In the fall AAA had a new event called "Verano de Escandalo". Heavy Metal was in a Steel Cage Elimination Luchas de Apuestas Match teaming with Perro Aguayo and Perro Aguayo, Jr. against Sangre Chicana, El Picudo and El Cobarde. The final saw El Cobarde getting his head shaved. By winter, AAA had another new event called Guerra de Titanes. Heavy Metal was involved in a Steel Cage Luchas de Apuestas "hair vs. hair" match which also included Perro Aguayo, Jr., El Picudo, and Sangre Chicana. Perro Aguayo beat El Picudo making him getting his head shaved.