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PWTorch editor Wade Keller presents a special Thursday Flagship edition of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast featuring a WrestleMania 36 Preview with ex-WWE Creative Team member and professional stand-up comedian Matt McCarthy.
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Alberto Del Rio (now Alberto El Patron) talked to Lucha TV about his decision to leave WWE, his recent Wellness Policy violation, and future in wrestling.
Del Rio said he was suspended for 30 days because he was using testosterone replacement therapy. Del Rio said he had doctor authorization, but it was still considered a violation of the policy.
While suspended, Del Rio said he talked to WWE about getting out of his contract. He said WWE wanted the standard 90-day no-compete clause barring Del Rio from appearing another promotion’s TV, so that was a contentious item.
Overall, Del Rio said he wasn’t having fun in WWE anymore. Del Rio, who turns 40 next year, said he doesn’t just want to have a job anymore. He said at this stage of his life, he wants to enjoy what he’s doing.
Del Rio credited his ability to speak English and adapting to the WWE style as what allowed him to stand out on the roster coming from a Lucha background.
Del Rio identified NXT star Andrade “Cien” Almas as struggling to fit in WWE right now to the point where Del Rio claims Almas wants to return to Mexico. He relayed a conversation where Almas wanted to know if it gets better on the main roster, to which Del Rio laughed and said it gets worse.
Del Rio said his advice to Andrade is to learn English as best as possible, or else he won’t be happy having to adapt his style to WWE. Del Rio credited Dean Malenko for giving him good advice and the right mindset early in his WWE run, otherwise he would have fallen by the wayside.