Andrade El Idolo has revealed that he is currently earning more money in AEW than he did during his latest run with WWE.
Speaking with Latin Lover on Luchando Por Tus Sueños, Andrade El Idolo was asked which wrestling promotion pays the most and where he has felt most comfortable during his career. The former United States Champion refused to describe any promotion as perfect, explaining that CMLL, WWE, AEW and AAA all have their own advantages and disadvantages.
“Every company has its good things and its bad things. That goes for CMLL, WWE, AEW and AAA. They all have something good and something bad.”
Andrade acknowledged that WWE pays its talent well but stressed that earnings across professional wrestling depend heavily on a performer’s position within a promotion.
“It depends because WWE pays very well. In CMLL, if you’re a star, you make good money. If you’re not, then you struggle. Every company has its good and bad sides.”
However, when directly comparing his current AEW contract with his most recent WWE deal, Andrade was clear about which pays him more.
“Right now, I’m making more money than I did in WWE.”
Andrade El Idolo Discusses AEW Pay And Contract Negotiations
Andrade El Idolo added that AEW is currently treating him well, although he believes a wrestler’s treatment within any promotion is ultimately connected to the money they generate.
“They’re treating me well right now too. But I think that in every company, if you sell or generate money for them, they’re going to treat you well.”
He also acknowledged how quickly that relationship can change, arguing that wrestlers need to maximise their opportunities while they remain valuable.
“Once you’re no longer useful to them, you know how it is. You have to take advantage of that moment.”
That philosophy has influenced Andrade’s approach to contract negotiations throughout his career. He explained that he has consistently attempted to increase his salary with each new agreement.
“Every year, my contracts have gotten better since I went to WWE. The money has increased each year. I always try to negotiate so that if I make one dollar this year, I make a dollar and a half the next year, and then two dollars after that.”
Andrade El Idolo also believes wrestlers can potentially earn more than WWE offers by working independently. He claimed promoters in Mexico were willing to pay enough for him to surpass his WWE income, but signing an AEW contract provided greater financial security.
“There is money in wrestling. Promoters in Mexico were calling me, and I could make more than I did in WWE if I worked independently. But the opportunity came for a good contract, and that gives you more security.”
