Andrade El Idolo is opening up about a complicated and uncomfortable topic from his WWE run: race, perception, and why he ultimately felt there was a ceiling for Latino talent—even when the matches delivered.
Speaking on Enmascarados – El Podcast, Andrade was asked directly whether he experienced racism in WWE, especially during his tag team run with Rey Fénix, which briefly teased a possible championship push. His answer was careful, reflective, and deeply personal.
Andrade explained that his upbringing shaped how he processes those situations, especially when working in another country.
“I never gave much weight to that. I was raised by uncles who taught me—‘get up, don’t cry, don’t play the victim.’ So when I go to another country, and someone says something? I think: you’re in someone else’s territory, you have to adapt.”
While he refused to label WWE as racist toward him personally, Andrade acknowledged that perception and opportunity don’t always align—particularly for Latino wrestlers.
“As a public figure, there will always be positive and negative things. Maybe there is racism, maybe not. But I can’t say WWE was racist toward me—because I never felt that way personally.”
That said, Andrade didn’t shy away from addressing what he saw as a systemic limitation. He admitted that no matter how well he and Rey Fénix performed, they were often reduced to a label rather than seen as long-term stars.
“Even when we wrestled well—even when Fénix and I delivered great matches—we were still seen as just ‘the Mexican team.’ I didn’t think they’d ever push us the way we deserved.”
That frustration became even clearer when Andrade reflected on their final WWE storyline together. The pairing had momentum, crowd support, and internal optimism—but Andrade never fully believed the company would commit.
“We had great chemistry. The crowd loved it. I told Fénix—‘I think we’re going to be tag champs.’ And we were excited. But deep down, I thought: they’re not going to take us seriously. Not two Mexicans together.”
Those doubts eventually played a role in Andrade’s decision to walk away. He admitted leaving wasn’t easy—especially knowing what the team could have become.
“I respect Fénix a lot. I even apologized to him after I left, because I know we could’ve gone far. But I also knew we weren’t being positioned for success the way other teams were.”
Andrade’s comments don’t paint WWE as outright discriminatory—but they do raise uncomfortable questions about how Latino talent is viewed, grouped, and capped creatively, regardless of performance.
At a time when wrestling companies are under increasing scrutiny for how they develop and elevate international stars, Andrade’s perspective adds another layer to an ongoing conversation.
What do you think—was Andrade right about a ceiling for Latino tag teams in WWE, or was this a case of bad timing and missed opportunity? Let us know your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion.
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