Everything We Know About Andrade's AEW Exit, Explained
Emma Powell Highlights
- Andrade's departure from AEW has sparked speculation about a potential return to WWE, adding an element of mystery to his wrestling journey.
- Andrade's time in AEW was largely unsuccessful, as he failed to capture any championships during his tenure.
- Charlotte Flair's influence played a role in Andrade's decision to return to WWE, potentially leading to new storyline possibilities for the wrestling couple.
In professional wrestling, transitions can be as unpredictable as the storylines that unfold in the squared circle. Andrade's departure from AEW has become a captivating narrative, shrouded in mystery and laden with possibilities. As his AEW contract ended, speculations emerged, hinting at a surprising return to WWE. The intrigue deepens with the involvement of his wife, the illustrious Charlotte Flair, and the potential rekindling of alliances with his former WWE manager, Zelina Vega. The wrestling world is left to ponder the untold chapters of Andrade's journey, wondering if his return heralds new beginnings, unforeseen alliances, or a reunion with past triumphs. Here's everything we know about Andrade's AEW exit and potential WWE return.
Why Andrade Left WWE And Joined AEW
Andrade El Idolo's Time In AEW Was Mostly A Failure
Year | Event |
|---|---|
2015-2021 | Andrade's first run in WWE |
2021-2024 | Andrade's run in AEW |
In 2021, Andrade's departure from WWE marked the end of a six-year relationship that began in 2015. He revealed the reason he left, despite making a lot of money, in an interview with Lucha Libre Online. He said,
“When the pandemic started, they put me with Drew McIntyre. Drew was great with me and behaved well with me in NXT and on the main roster. We had the matches and a producer came to me and said, ‘Make sure Drew looks like a monster because he’s the champ.’ Drew came to me and told me to wrestle how I know to wrestle, saying that he doesn’t need me to make him look good, but to wrestle how I wrestle best.
"A lot of people treated me well, Drew too, and Randy Orton. [Randy] would ask me, ‘Why aren’t they using you?’ I didn’t know what to say and didn’t know what was going on. After that, I made the decision [to leave]. To make the decision, the hardest part was not getting to be close to Charlotte and going to events with [Charlotte]. I’ve been with WWE. I had a great contract with WWE, a great contract. Three million per year. Several million dollars per year, a lot more than plenty of guys coming up from NXT. I heard about some of those contracts. I made a lot more than those guys.”
Despite his accomplishments in WWE, including winning the NXT Championship and the United States Championship, Andrade believed there was more he could achieve if given the right opportunities. In June 2021, he made a surprising move to All Elite Wrestling, signing a two-year contract. However, his run in AEW did not replicate the championship success he had experienced in WWE. Despite showcasing a different side of his character, Andrade did not secure a single title during his tenure with AEW.
Andrade Is Kind Of Doing A Lot Of Nothing In AEW So Far
One solid storyline and a string of excellent matches will put Andrade back on track in AEW, but as of now, he is just doing a whole lot of nothing.Andrade's Departure From AEW In 2024
Andrade Is Rumored To Return To WWE
Andrade's journey took an intriguing turn as his contract with AEW reached its conclusion in January 2024. Speculations arose surrounding his next career move, with Sean Ross Sapp shedding light on the situation through exclusive reports from Fightful Select. According to Sapp's sources, Andrade had contemplated the possibility of re-signing with AEW before an unexpected shift in his decision-making. In the weeks leading up to the contract expiration, Andrade reportedly communicated to fellow AEW talent his intention to make a return to WWE.
There was also a reported level of frustration between Andrade and AEW, so much so that within AEW officials expected Andrade to show up in WWE immediately after his contract with them ended. That hasn't happened yet, but the buzz around Andrade's potential surprise entrance at WWE's Royal Rumble has intensified. While AEW hoped to retain the talented wrestler, the anticipation of a WWE return added an element of uncertainty to Andrade's post-AEW career.
Andrade Issues Statement Thanking AEW, Lists Wrestlers He Wished He'd Faced
Andrade has spoken on his AEW departure for the first time since his contract expired on New Year's Eve.Charlotte Flair's Influence On Andrade's AEW Exit
Could Andrade End Up In The LWO With Zelina Vega?
The unexpected twist in Andrade's return to WWE involves the influence of his wife, Charlotte Flair, according to the report by Sapp. Charlotte seems to be a major factor in bringing Andrade back to WWE. Despite Ric Flair's recent venture into AEW, expressing his desire to manage his son-in-law, the dynamics have shifted. Andrade's decision to return to WWE signifies a significant turn of events, leaving Ric in AEW while Andrade heads back to the familiar grounds of WWE to join Ric’s daughter. What adds an intriguing layer to this story is Charlotte's hiatus from in-ring action due to an injury. This absence eliminates the possibility of an immediate on-screen union with Andrade. The couple was dating during Andrade's first WWE run as well and the company never put them together on screen, so it'll be interesting to see if they do it this time around when Charlotte returns.
One plausible direction for Andrade in his WWE return could be Andrade aligning himself with the Latino World Order (LWO), a faction managed by Zelina Vega, who served as Andrade's manager in WWE. The LWO is currently lacking a leader since Santos Escobar's departure, and Andrade could seamlessly step into this role. This move not only allows him to reignite his on-screen chemistry with Vega but also adds a fresh and powerful dynamic to the faction. The storyline possibilities are vast, and fans eagerly await how WWE will craft Andrade's comeback and the subsequent chapters of his wrestling journey, hopefully giving him a more successful run than last time.
