Former WWE NXT star Andre Chase, who now wrestles as Andre Chance after being released by WWE earlier this year, recently revealed he turned down a significantly higher-paying job to continue his dream of becoming a wrestler.
Chase discussed this experience during an appearance on the podcast "Between Two Jobs." The opportunity for a coaching role emerged after WWE's acquisition of Evolve in 2020. Evolve booker Gabe Sapolsky initially informed Chase that WWE planned to sign some talent from the promotion. However, Chase was not among the initial group signed as he was not under contract with Evolve at the time. Sapolsky advised him to remain prepared for future opportunities.
Several months later, Chase received a message inquiring about his ring shape. Soon after, former WWE executive Canyon Ceman contacted him, extending an invitation to WWE's inaugural COVID-era tryout. It was during this process that Chase learned WWE had a different path in mind for him.
WWE originally viewed Andre Chase as a perfect fit for a coaching role rather than an in-ring performer, with Ceman telling him they believed he would make a great coach. WWE still wanted Chase to attend the tryout before discussing his future plans.
Essentially, he was like, ‘You’re an interesting case, because we actually wanted to sign you as a coach, but come to the tryout anyway and then we’ll kind of talk and discuss what we have for you. But we just really think you’d be a great coach’
At the time, Chase was only 31 years old and felt he still had a lot left to accomplish inside the ring. After impressing officials at the tryout, he received another call in November. WWE gave him two choices: become a coach or sign as an active wrestler.
They made it very clear it was one or the other. There were no player/coaches
The coaching role came with a significantly bigger paycheck and more stability than WWE’s standard developmental contract. Struggling to make a decision, Chase turned to his brother for advice.
It was not an easy decision. I’ll tell you that. But like, eventually, so I’m thinking about it, I’m talking to my brother and he’s like, ‘Well, do you wanna be a coach or do you wanna be a wrestler?’ I’m like, ‘I wanna be a wrestler.’ He’s like, ‘Well, that’s it.’ And it was that easy of a decision. Oh yeah. Of course, the money was appealing and attractive, but I was like, ‘I came here to be a wrestler, so I’m gonna wrestle’
Even Canyon Ceman was reportedly surprised by Chase's choice and reminded him of the difference in salary between the two roles. However, Chase trusted himself and believed things would work out.
And then I called him (Ceman) and told him, and even he was a bit surprised; he was like, ‘You know the pay difference, right?’ I was like, ‘Yeah, but it’s gonna be fine, it’s gonna work out.’ I just believed, I knew. I didn’t know how it was gonna happen, but I just knew I’ve just gotta get in and then we’ll get to where we wanna go
Although his future is still taking shape, Chase does not regret his choice. He walked away from a bigger paycheck to pursue the career he truly wanted, stating he was not ready to give up wrestling at the time.
