Andrade: I was Always Working Against Mexicans During First WWE Main Roster Run. I Wanted More

After spending two years in NXT and winning the NXT Championship, Andrade moved to the WWE main roster in April 2018.

He remained with the company until March 2021, even winning the WWE United States Championship, before asking for his release.

Speaking to Chris Jericho on Talk Is Jericho, Andrade reflected on his first run with WWE.

“I enjoyed every moment, and the guys respected me. I didn’t have any problem with any of the guys, but I feel like I was working a lot with Rey Mysterio and always working Mexican vs. Mexican. I had a story for three or four years where it was Mexican vs. Mexican. Rey Mysterio was for a year or a year and a half. A little story with Dominik. A story with Garza. With Berto. Whatever Mexican was there or came in: ‘Andrade, Andrade.’ I was talking with my wife and said, ‘I want more. I need something. I’m not thriving in WWE.’ I wanted to go outside because there was AEW, New Japan. My first run in WWE, I wanted and needed more. I felt stuck when moving to the next step. I spoke with my ex-wife and said that I wanted more for myself. I wanted more success, so I felt I needed to leave WWE. I asked WWE for my release, and they agreed,” he said.

Andrade went to AEW, debuting in June 2021, after leaving WWE. He would eventually return to WWE, and then return to AEW, where he is now.

On Saturday’s Collision, Andrade lost the AEW National Title to Tommaso Ciampa.

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