Jim Ross believes that Andrade is very talented, but considering the circumstances he is surprised that the former ‘La Sombra’ did request his release from WWE.
The Boomer Sooner touched upon some current events with Conrad Thompson on the latest episode of Grilling JR (“Ask JR Anything”) and the topic of Andrade asking for his out in WWE did come as a bit of a shock to Ross, once the company’s head of talent relations.
“I am surprised that during this climate, COVID climate, that people are asking for their release,” JR started. “You damn sure don’t want to ask for a release unless you got somewhere to go and where you can establish some stability and financial security and I don’t know that he has that or doesn’t have that.”
“I’m not as familiar with his work, Andrade as a lot of guys are,” JR does state. Ross says he does catch some WWE on occasion but makes clear his viewing habits have changed and the only three-hour program he’ll sit down to watch on television is a football game. He does further question Andrade’s decision, particularly if he doesn’t have a plan lined up, but it does tell him that WWE has their eyes on the company that Ross is currently employed with.
“To me, unless you thought it out and you got a good long-range plan already in place, it’s probably not the smartest thing to do. If it’s an act of defiance or an act of ‘I’m angry’ or ‘I’m disappointed’, whatever the case may be, then that’s probably not the right reason to ask for a release, especially if you don’t have somewhere to go. So I don’t know where he would go. To me, it says that WWE is keenly aware of AEW and we’re not that pissant company Triple H said we were going to be in the beginning. If I were him, I hope he’s thought it out.”
JR also notes that while Andrade is an exceptional talent, he hasn’t defined himself yet as a persona and currently is mostly known for being in a relationship with one of WWE’s biggest stars.
“Right now the most significant thing in his career, in his timeline, is he’s dating and living with Charlotte. That’s his claim to fame. He is a good worker, don’t get me wrong. He looks great, but right now he hasn’t distinguished himself. He’s another guy. Very talented other guy. That’s just me now. Would I like to work with him some day? Why not?”
Since competition is thick, one matter that doesn’t surprise Ross is the fact that WWE denied Andrade’s request.
“I hope he’s thought it through and I’m not surprised that WWE refused it because that allows him not to make him happy or another company happy and they don’t give a shit if he sits home until the contract’s over. IF you’re going to dig yourself a hole, be ready to step in it and I think that’s kind of what he’s done. He’s played those cards. You think he’s endeared himself to the decision makers? I don’t and his biggest card right now in his deck is the fact that his significant other is one of WWE’s greatest talents and that does carry some weight.”
If you use any part of this transcript, credit @DominicDeAngelo of WrestleZone and link back
Listen to the full episode of “Ask JR Anything” below:
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