WWE Never Planned Main Roster Call-Up for Andre Chase

Andre Chase had built a strong following in NXT, but according to a new report, WWE never planned to call him up to the main roster.

After Chase confirmed his WWE release and reflected on his journey, Bryan Alvarez added key context on Wrestling Observer Live on April 27, 2026, revealing how WWE viewed him internally from the start. As Alvarez explained, the plan for Chase was never about building him into a main roster talent.

“I was told that when Andre Chase was hired, the idea was he was a good, hardworking guy who could help people learn, and there was never any intention of calling him up to the main roster.”

That detail directly echoes what Chase himself revealed in his farewell video, where he explained how his role was originally defined when he signed. Despite those expectations, Chase said things quickly changed thanks to fan support, which pushed him into a much bigger role than initially planned.

“Because when I signed with WWE on the first day, it was made abundantly clear that I was never going to be on television. I was never meant to be a superstar. I was just here to pass on my knowledge to a younger generation. But then something changed, and it was because of your support. It was because of the connection that we had. Suddenly, I had whole arenas chanting Chase U and spelling Chase U.”

He also pointed to what that support helped him achieve during his run, including championship success that he clearly credits to the audience behind him. Even as he confirmed his release, Chase made it clear that his career is far from over and that he’s already looking ahead to what’s next.

“I mean, we won championships in WWE, and that was definitely something that you guys did, and I'm so grateful for it. The chapter is closed on my WWE career, but my chapter is not closed on professional wrestling. So stay tuned, and hopefully I'm gonna be in a town near you very soon.”

This report paints a clearer picture of the situation; Chase may have exceeded expectations on screen, but internally, WWE never shifted its long-term view of him. He wasn’t supposed to be on TV, he wasn’t supposed to be a star, and he still built something that connected, but now that run is over without ever reaching the main roster.

Do you think WWE made a mistake not elevating Andre Chase further, or was this always the ceiling for his role? Let us know your thoughts and feedback.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.