Andrade isn’t taking a pay cut after leaving WWE. The former United States Champion says he is making more money in AEW than he earned during his latest WWE run.
During an interview with Latin Lover on Luchando Por Tus Sueños, Andrade was asked which wrestling company pays the most and where he has felt most comfortable. He refused to call any promotion perfect, saying CMLL, WWE, AEW and AAA all come with their own advantages and problems.
“Every company has its good things and its bad things. That goes for CMLL, WWE, AEW and AAA. They all have something good and something bad.”
Andrade explained that pay depends heavily on a wrestler’s position within a company. WWE pays well, but he said established wrestlers in other promotions can also bring home serious money. When it came to comparing his AEW and WWE paychecks, Andrade gave a direct answer. He said he is currently earning more in AEW than he made in WWE.
“It depends because WWE pays very well. In CMLL, if you’re a star, you make good money. If you’re not, then you struggle. Every company has its good and bad sides.”
“Right now, I’m making more money than I did in WWE.”
The bigger paycheck isn’t the only reason Andrade is satisfied with AEW. He also said the company is treating him well, though he knows that treatment in professional wrestling is tied to how much money a performer generates.
“They’re treating me well right now too. But I think that in every company, if you sell or generate money for them, they’re going to treat you well.”
Andrade knows that relationship can change quickly once a company no longer sees the same value in a wrestler. That is why he believes performers must cash in while they are valuable.
“Once you’re no longer useful to them, you know how it is. You have to take advantage of that moment.”
That mindset has influenced how Andrade negotiates contracts. He said his goal has always been to increase his salary with each new deal instead of accepting the same money year after year.
“Every year, my contracts have gotten better since I went to WWE. The money has increased each year. I always try to negotiate so that if I make one dollar this year, I make a dollar and a half the next year, and then two dollars after that.”
Andrade also believes wrestlers can make more than WWE offers by working independently. He said promoters in Mexico were willing to pay him enough to exceed his WWE income, but an AEW contract gave him the financial security he wanted without having to chase bookings.
“There is money in wrestling. Promoters in Mexico were calling me, and I could make more than I did in WWE if I worked independently. But the opportunity came for a good contract, and that gives you more security.”
Andrade left WWE after becoming frustrated with his position, but the decision hasn’t hurt his bank account. He says AEW is paying him more, treating him well and giving him a better situation than the one he left behind.
Do you think Andrade made the right call by leaving WWE for a bigger AEW paycheck? Share your thoughts and leave your feedback in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
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