Chase says strong merch sales and ratings did not change NXT’s decision
Summary
– Andre Chase said WWE had already decided to disband Chase U despite strong merchandise sales and TV usage
– Chase recalled being told Chase U merchandise was selling alongside top NXT names like Trick Williams and Roxanne Perez
– He said creative gave no detailed reason and told him it was the direction they were taking
Andre Chase looks back at the end of Chase U and explains why he believed WWE’s decision did not make sense from a business standpoint.
Speaking with former NXT star Duke Hudson on Between Two Jobs, Chase recalled the conversation he had with NXT creative when he learned Chase University was being disbanded. According to Chase, WWE officials told him what was happening, but did not give him a clear reason why.
Chase said he tried to approach the situation through numbers, merchandise sales, and audience response. He pointed to strong merch performance, including being told by a merchandise staffer that Chase U had sold as much as Trick Williams and Roxanne Perez during major NXT events.
He also noted that Chase U had been featured heavily on television, sometimes appearing in multiple segments on the same show. To him, those were signs that the group was working with fans and producing results.
Chase said he asked Creative why ending the act made sense when the group was hitting several important business milestones. He felt the answer never came.
Instead, Chase said he was told that WWE had already chosen that direction. That was when he realized the discussion was not really a chance to change anyone’s mind.
Chase said no amount of merchandise sales, ratings, or fan reactions seemed to matter once the decision had been made. WWE was ready to move forward without Chase U.
The comments add more context to the end of one of NXT’s most recognizable groups. Chase U became a steady part of the brand’s weekly identity, but the act was eventually broken up before WWE released Chase in April.
After his release, Chase also revealed that he was originally offered a role as a wrestling coach in NXT. He declined that position and chose to become an in-ring performer, even though it came with a lower salary.
