Ricardo Rodriguez Details Anger Over WWE Leaking His Release Early

Ricardo Rodriguez’s WWE departure in 2014 wasn’t just shocking—it left the former announcer and wrestler feeling bitter about how the company handled it. Now, Rodriguez is setting the record straight, revealing that while he asked for his release, WWE’s decision to leak the news early didn’t sit well with him.

During an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Rodriguez opened up about the circumstances surrounding his exit. After spending years as Alberto Del Rio’s charismatic announcer and later transitioning to Spanish commentary, Rodriguez admitted he was struggling with depression and financial issues.

“So, I never got released; I asked for it,” Rodriguez clarified. “At the time, I had already been separated from Alberto, and I was doing Spanish commentary, but I wasn’t feeling it. I wasn’t happy. I was going through a lot of depression, and I wasn’t making the same money I had been making before. I had a lot of discussions with the office, with [Mark] Carrano, but we just couldn’t get anywhere.”

The situation came to a head when Rodriguez refused to board a WWE flight, staying home instead. He called Carrano to explain his frustrations, which ultimately led to his release. “I said, ‘Hey, I’m still at home. I’m not coming in.’ He asked, ‘Are you okay?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, I’ve tried talking to you a few times, and it’s just not going anywhere.’”

Rodriguez continued, “He called me back on Wednesday around 5 o’clock and said, ‘Hey, I just talked to Paul [Triple H] and Vince, and we’re going to grant you the release. You’re always welcome to come back.’”

Despite the professional tone of their conversations, Rodriguez was blindsided when WWE leaked news of his release before he had the chance to announce it himself. “I thought it was an agreement we had. I wasn’t going to trash them publicly, but I also wasn’t expecting them to leak it. That’s what hurt the most,” he said.

Rodriguez, who was only 29 at the time, believed he still had plenty to offer the wrestling world but ultimately felt his mental health and happiness had to come first.

Although Ricardo Rodriguez’s WWE chapter ended under strained circumstances, he remains thankful for the opportunities he had. As for the bitterness? It’s a work in progress.

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