Alberto Del Rio Talks His WWE Wellness Violation Suspension, His MMA Ambitions, Andrade “Cien” Almas’ Unhappiness In WWE, More

The above video features former WWE Superstar Alberto Del Rio speaking with Mas Lucha in Mexico about his WWE departure and more.

Some highlights from the interview have been transcribed below.

Related: Paige Reportedly Quits WWE

WWE published an announcement that you were suspended for 30 days over a wellness violation. Was this a determining factor in your decision?

Of course it was. It was that and along with many more tings that made me not want to be there. But there are rules. Their wellness program is one of their rules. I can’t call it absurd because when you work for them, you sign a contract. You know that you are subject to their terms. I don’t think it’s fair because there is a big difference in people using medication to obtain better… (he wants to say performance enhancing) physical performance. But when it is like in my case, a testosterone replacement, where I am a 40 year old man and it is a medical matter that I have proof of from my doctors. I don’t think it is something fair. But I come back to the same thing. It’s their wellness policy and you have to abide to it. So yeah that was part of it, but not all of it. There were many reasons. But it did help me to make the decision to say, “Goodbye, see you later. I don’t want to be in this company.”

And as I’m leaving in two years, that was my last time with this company. Now all that’s left is to do what’s here for me in Mexico.

Physically you’ve looked incredible. You’ve been training, going to the gym and doing a lot of exercise. Now you are coming here in this condition. Who is going to stop Alberto El Patron now in this next phase?

Thank you very much. What happened is that I got together with my nutritionist Alberto Sevilla who implemented and helped me carry out a nutrition plan and a training regimen. As a group effort, my training and with his instruction, he helped bring me to the best physical condition of my life. It’s funny because I’m older, I’m 39 and I look better than when I was 20. Well then, I come back the same way I looked while I was in WWE, or even better. Nobody here will be able to tell me about that wellness policy rubbish. (Big laugh) Anyways, I’m very content that I’ll be able to do what makes me happy again and work in a way that makes me content. Without restrictions.

Talk about your other projects, as a company owner and a commentator. Why commentate on MMA and not wrestling?

Why not wrestling? For starters you have to have someone in wrestling offer you a proposal that will pay. (laughs) This company did not offer me a good deal. It’s a question of destiny that I ended up in a MMA company and not a wrestling company. The only ones that could pay me enough to be a commentator was the company I just left. (laughs) That would be complicated. Like I was saying, I will still be involved in wrestling. This same company is in business with a network here in Mexico. I will be involved in other projects of this network that includes a reality show and put more focus on the entertainment world.

On the 28th I’ll be opening a restaurant, La Chilanguita, in the US, in San Antonio. With one of my associates, I hope it goes well. We will have some celebrities there. I’m in another stage of my life. That’s why I was able to say goodbye to WWE. I was the one that told them I didn’t want to be there anymore. They were generous and facilitated my release, to do it in the best way possible.

Now WWE has a problem because you left a very big gap in the Latin market. What do you think the future holds for Andrade “Cien” Almas and Gran Metalik?

I talked to my good friend Manny and poor guy, he wants to come back. Unfortunately, when you go into that company you have to abide by their rules. That’s just how it is. It’s the nature of our business. I always put it like this. There is a problem with all the talent that goes there, it’s the inability to speak the language. They have the talent but when you go work for a company like this, you have to, I say this, something my great mentor Dean Malenko would tell me. Everything you know, forget it, delete the tape. You are starting from nothing. Use one of the moves or things that will help you get over but forget about lucha libre. Lucha libre will not work here. You will never be anything if you focus and stick to being a luchador in WWE.

I adapted and changed myself. I have been the only one to go on and win everything that I won. So that’s what I think is the formula. I told Manny this the last time I saw him. He asked me if things were different on the main roster. I told him, “Things are going to get worse up there.” (Big laugh) I said, “It’s up to you. Put all you can into learning English.” I told him the exact same thing Dean Malenko told me. In my humble opinion, if it worked for me, it’ll work for you. Now with those two, it is all a matter of time and adapting. If they change, they will get support. The physique is an important aspect over there. Manny looked incredible here. Over there he looks a little fat. For WWE, that is one of their principle ideals. All that’s left is to wish them the best of luck.

WWE will always be looking for another Rey or another Alberto. Will they be able to find another? I really doubt it. Not because there aren’t people with the amount of talent a Rey has or I have. Simply because every wrestler is their own person and has their own name. You can’t just find another one. You have to create someone that will hopefully be better than us. I wish them both luck.

Have you talked to Mascara Dorada? (Gran Metalik)

I have not spoke to him yet. When I last saw him when I was in Japan and I had just gotten out from WWE the first time. I met him in Japan. But I… I hope it goes well for him. Because the Mexican wrestling is so different from the American wrestling. If you don’t change, you will never get anywhere. I expect that he will do what it takes to make it to the main roster but like I mentioned before, only time will tell.

Thank you and any final message?

No, thank you for your time. To all the fans, thank you for your support over all the years. I’ll see you all soon. Now that I know I left them but now I left them over there to be with you. (laughs)