Ricardo Rodriguez Explains Why He Walked Away from WWE on His Own Terms

Ricardo Rodriguez had a solid run as an announcer in WWE as he was instrumental in Alberto Del Rio’s growth in the company. While he would part ways with the company in the end, fans assumed WWE released him but it appears that wasn’t the case.

Ricardo Rodriguez joined WWE in 2010 and spent almost four years with the company before leaving in April 2014. Fans believed he had more to contribute and were disappointed when he left the company.

While speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Ricardo Rodriguez that he didn’t get released from WWE; he actually requested his release. At the time, he had already separated from Alberto and was working as a Spanish commentator, but he wasn’t happy. He was feeling depressed and wasn’t making as much money as before. He had many talks with WWE officials, but nothing changed.

Eventually, Rodriguez reached a point where he decided not to board his flight. On the following Monday, he called Mark Carrano and said, “I’m still at home, and I’m not coming in.” When Carrano asked if he was okay, Rodriguez said he had tried to talk to him before, but nothing had improved. At 29, he felt he was still young enough to do other things, so he decided to thank WWE and walk away.

Carrano told him to stay home while he spoke to Vince McMahon and Triple H. On Wednesday, Carrano called him back and told him WWE had agreed to release him. He also said that he was always welcome to come back. Rodriguez thanked him and moved on.

“So, I never got released; I asked for it. It wasn’t like I was part of that big release or anything. 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 Carrano, but we just couldn’t get anywhere. It got to a point where one day, I just didn’t get on the flight. I woke up the next Monday and called Carrano.

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.’ At the time, I was 29, and I felt like I was still young enough to do other things. I just wanted to say thank you, but I think I’m done. He said, ‘Alright, stay home. Let me talk to Vince and Hunter, and I’ll call you back.’ I said, ‘Cool, no big deal.’ He called me back on Wednesday around 5 o’clock and said, ‘Hey, I just talked to Paul and Vince, and we’re going to grant you the release. You’re always welcome to come back, blah blah.’ I said, ‘Alright, thank you.'”

Interestingly enough, Ricardo Rodriguez has confirmed he is interested in returning to WWE as a manager. Only time will tell if that will ever happen, as fans would more than love to see Rodriguez back on WWE television one way or the other.

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