More Backstage News on Ricardo Rodriguez Leaving WWE

It was reported on July 30 that Ricardo Rodriguez, the former ring announcer for Alberto Del Rio, was granted his release from World Wrestling Entertainment.

He had been frustrated with the company not using him as a wrestler, so he asked for his release so that he could pursue an in-ring future elsewhere.

Under the moniker of El Local, Rodriguez worked a short stint in NXT as the tag team parter of Kalisto, losing an NXT Tag Team Championship match at “Takeover.”

According to a report by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, one of the reasons WWE held back on using Ricardo as a wrestler was because of his physique never being up to company standards.

There was a weight limit set for Ricardo that WWE wanted to keep him at that he was never able to stick with.

Ricardo was working under a talent and announcers contract at the time of his release with his talent contract having two remaining weeks. He was part of a three-man spanish announcer broadcast team but with WWE looking to save money across the board, it made sense to take Ricardo out of the equation.

Del Rio was also released by the company but only for disciplinary reasons after slapping a social media worker.

Editor’s Note

At the end of the day, if Ricardo is happier as a wrestler and wants look into opportunities where he can achieve his in-ring goals, then all the power to him. His weight was going to hold him back on the main roster regardless, even though he was very fluid in the ring for a man of his size. Several independent promotions would surely love to have him make an appearance here and there.

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