Andre Chase Reveals WWE Wanted Him To Be A Coach Instead Of A Wrestler When He Signed

WWE offered Andre Chase more money to be a coach.

In 2021, Andre Chase signed with WWE, becoming a key part of NXT’s rebrand to 2.0. With the brand focusing more on characters, the 37-year-old came in as the leader of Chase University, winning over the NXT crowd in his five years featuring on the show. However, the star never got the chance to show his skills on the main roster, being released back in April. Now his non-compete has expired, Chase has discussed WWE originally wanting him as a coach.

Speaking on Between Two Jobs, Andre Chase, now known as Andre Chance, revealed he was offered more money to be a coach instead of a wrestler in WWE.

“It was the first tryout in COVID. Essentially, he [Canyon Cemen] was like, ‘You’re an interesting case because we actually want to sign you as a coach. Come to the tryout anyway and we’ll talk and discuss what we have for you. We think you’d be a great coach.’ I’m 31 and I’m not ready to stop wrestling yet. They made it clear it was one or the other. There were no player coaches. I get the call back in November from Canyon and he goes, ‘We really wanted you as a coach, but we enjoyed your tryout. What do you want to do?’ They gave me the numbers, and the coach was a much higher salary than what it was starting as a wrestler. I was like, ‘Do I take the money and call it a day on my career?’ They made it clear you can’t do both.’ The money was appealing and attractive, but I came here to be a wrestler, so I’m gonna be a wrestler. I called him and told him. He was a bit surprised. ‘You know the pay difference, right?’”

-Andre Chance

In terms of gold, Andre Chase held the NXT Tag Team Championships with two separate members of Chase University during his time with WWE. In 2023, alongside Duke Hudson, he had a 21-day reign, while Andre stood alongside Ridge Holland for his second stint with the gold the following year.

With his 30-day non-compete having passed just weeks ago, Chance’s next in-ring appearance remains unknown, but he’s currently available for matches, meet and greets, signings, and seminars as he looks to rebound from his WWE departure.

As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Andre Chance as soon as we hear more.

H/T to Fightful for the transcription.