Tag: Andrade

Andrade El Idolo Cleared To Wrestle — But Only In Puerto Rico

Andrade El Idolo’s strange post-WWE situation appears to finally be moving forward, though it comes with a very specific restriction.

After weeks of uncertainty surrounding his WWE non-compete clause, Andrade is officially set to return to the ring tonight in Puerto Rico, where he will compete for the World Wrestling Council (WWC). The former WWE star is scheduled to challenge Xavant for the WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship, marking his first sanctioned match in some time.

According to reports, WWE initially enforced a non-compete clause following Andrade’s brief and controversial return to AEW. That clause put his in-ring career on pause, even after he resurfaced on AEW Dynamite to attack Kenny Omega — an appearance that ultimately led to WWE issuing a cease-and-desist notice to AEW and Andrade being pulled from television entirely.

However, new details suggest Andrade’s legal team has been hard at work behind the scenes. Sources indicate that negotiations with WWE resulted in a compromise that allows Andrade to wrestle — but only in Puerto Rico. The agreement reportedly went into effect today, December 13, and bars Andrade from competing for any promotion outside of the island for now.

Andrade himself confirmed the breakthrough during a recent interview, expressing relief that the long-standing issue had finally been resolved. He explained that his lawyer received official, signed documentation from WWE granting him clearance to wrestle for WWC, ending what he described as months of uncertainty tied to a 12-month non-compete dispute.

“I’m so happy to be in Puerto Rico. I want to say thank you to my lawyer because he now has a letter from the WWE, because we had problems with the no-compete for 12 months. Today, my lawyer texted me and told me, ‘Andrade, I have a letter, signed, that you can participate tonight in Puerto Rico in WWC. I can get back to the ring tonight. I’m so happy because after all these problems — not problems, but just what happens in life — I don’t know what to say. I want to be ready for tonight.”

The timing couldn’t be better. Andrade hasn’t competed since winning The Crash Heavyweight Championship on October 3, and fans have been waiting to see when — and where — he would be allowed back between the ropes. Tonight’s WWC appearance represents his first step back into active competition following his WWE release earlier this year, which stemmed from alleged wellness policy violations.

While Andrade’s future beyond Puerto Rico remains unclear, this development at least puts an end to his in-ring limbo. For now, Puerto Rico is the only place fans can see Andrade El Idolo compete — but it’s a meaningful return that could open the door to bigger things once his contractual situation fully clears.

Andrade’s AEW Hiatus Could Last Longer Than Expected Due to WWE Contract Clause

Andrade’s absence from AEW programming has taken a surprising turn, with new reports suggesting the former WWE star could be out of action much longer than originally believed — potentially up to a full year.

After weeks of speculation, both F4WOnline and PWInsider confirmed earlier today that Andrade’s hiatus stems from a non-compete clause in his previous WWE contract. The clause was reportedly enforced after WWE released him last month, despite the belief that he was free to sign elsewhere. Initially, many assumed the standard 90-day non-compete period would apply — but things are sounding a lot more complicated than that.

According to PWInsider Elite, sources in the “lucha circles” claim Andrade’s non-compete could extend for a full year due to what’s being described as a “breach of contract” at the time of his WWE departure. It’s not clear whether the alleged breach involved Andrade’s signing with AEW or another issue that contributed to his release, but legal action could be on the table if Andrade decides to challenge it.

From Andrade’s perspective, the situation seems just as confusing. Fightful Select reports that Andrade genuinely believed he was in the clear once WWE let him go, as no one informed him of any non-compete. He even began taking bookings and later finalized his AEW deal with Tony Khan during that period — leading to his high-profile return where he attacked Kenny Omega on Dynamite.

Despite the mess, there’s reportedly no hard feelings between Andrade and AEW. Those close to the situation say AEW was caught off guard just like everyone else — even some within WWE were surprised to learn the clause was still active. The belief is that WWE could, under “normal circumstances,” request Andrade to fulfill WWE dates due to the non-compete, though that option may be complicated by previous wellness policy violations.

For now, Andrade is said to be in good spirits while AEW waits to see how things play out. The company had planned for him to continue his program with Omega, but plans were reshuffled following both Andrade’s situation and Kota Ibushi’s injury. AEW reportedly intends to bring Andrade back as soon as the legal dust settles.

Interestingly, the clause keeping Andrade on the sidelines might not be unique to him. Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline reported that WWE’s current contracts — under the TKO era — include a standard one-year non-compete for any wrestler terminated “for breach of contract.” The exact legal definition of such a breach remains unclear, but it’s now standard language in all new WWE deals.

Alvarez expressed doubt that such a lengthy restriction would hold up in court, referencing Brock Lesnar’s 2004 battle with WWE, when Lesnar successfully overturned a similar non-compete clause. Fightful Select even published the full wording of the clause, confirming that WWE retains the right to bar a talent from working anywhere else in the U.S. for up to one year following a termination for breach.

With Andrade’s legal team reportedly “very good,” it’s possible this story is far from over. Whether this new WWE contract language can stand up to legal scrutiny remains to be seen — but one thing’s certain: Andrade’s next in-ring appearance may not be happening anytime soon.

Backstage News On Andrade’s Sudden AEW Absence And WWE Non-Compete Confusion

Andrade’s AEW return started with a bang — and then silence. After a shocking attack on Kenny Omega, the star has vanished from AEW programming and canceled multiple appearances. Now, new backstage reports suggest WWE might be behind his sudden disappearance.

Andrade’s second run with AEW has hit a roadblock just weeks after his big return. The former WWE standout shocked fans when he attacked Kenny Omega on AEW television, seemingly setting the stage for a major storyline. But since that night, Andrade has been nowhere to be found — not on TV, not in the ring, and not even on his scheduled independent shows.

According to Wrestling Observer Radio, the reason may be tied to an unexpected issue with WWE. Bryan Alvarez reported that Andrade’s absence has nothing to do with injury or discipline, but rather a non-compete clause stemming from his recent WWE release.

“I was told he is not hurt, he didn’t get himself fired,” Alvarez said. “But apparently something is up involving his WWE non-compete… AEW might’ve thought they could get this worked out in time to get the Omega match on, but it didn’t happen.”

Dave Meltzer added that AEW and even some within WWE believed Andrade had no non-compete period. However, WWE reportedly later informed AEW that Andrade is still restricted from appearing on wrestling television for 90 days — a development that seemingly blindsided everyone involved.

“AEW obviously believed there was no non-compete,” Meltzer noted. “Even some people in WWE thought there wasn’t one. But apparently, WWE said he can’t do anything for 90 days.”

WWE Clarified Andrade’s Status After He Took Indie Bookings

PWInsider Elite later reported that both Andrade and WWE initially operated under the impression that his release allowed him to compete immediately since he wasn’t receiving the standard 90-day pay. However, once Andrade began accepting independent dates, WWE clarified that he was still bound by a non-compete restriction.

Whether this was a change in direction or just a case of miscommunication isn’t clear. One WWE insider told PWInsider the company wants to avoid creating a loophole where talent could leave under controversial circumstances and immediately jump to another promotion.

Impact On Andrade’s AEW and Independent Plans

If the 90-day non-compete is enforced, Andrade will be sidelined until early next year, delaying his AEW storyline indefinitely. He’s also expected to miss several upcoming shows, including an event in Puerto Rico this weekend and an appearance for The Crash in Tijuana — where he currently reigns as Heavyweight Champion.

That leaves the future of The Crash title uncertain, especially since Andrade only captured the belt from DMT Azul shortly after reappearing in AEW.

For now, fans can only wait to see when Andrade will finally be cleared to return to the ring. His comeback may have started strong, but this legal roadblock has left one of AEW’s most intriguing returns stuck in neutral.

Andrade El Idolo Captures The Crash Heavyweight Championship in Mexico

Andrade El Idolo made a statement in his first post-WWE appearance, returning to his roots in Mexico and walking out with gold around his waist. The former WWE Superstar headlined The Crash Lucha Libre event Friday night in Tijuana, defeating DMT Azul to claim the promotion’s Heavyweight Championship.

The win marked not only Andrade’s first match since parting ways with WWE last month but also his first championship reign since leaving the company. His victory ended Azul’s impressive near-900-day run as champion — a dominant streak that had defined The Crash’s top division for years.

This title win comes on the heels of Andrade’s surprise re-emergence in AEW earlier this week. Fans were stunned when El Idolo stormed the ring on Dynamite, ambushing Kenny Omega and revealing his allegiance to The Don Callis Family.

Now holding championship gold once again and aligned with one of AEW’s most notorious factions, Andrade El Idolo’s comeback is off to a powerful start — one that blurs the lines between international wrestling scenes and reminds the world exactly why he’s “El Idolo.”

Andrade Returns to AEW and Aligns with the Don Callis Family

Andrade El Idolo has officially made his way back to AEW, closing the loop on one of the most unusual journeys we’ve seen in modern wrestling. After bouncing between WWE and AEW over the last few years, Andrade has now returned to Tony Khan’s promotion, making his shocking reappearance during the sixth anniversary episode of Dynamite.

The surprise came at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino when Kenny Omega was addressing the fans. Just as Omega was wrapping up a heartfelt promo, the arena lights went out. When they came back up, a masked figure was lurking behind Omega — only to unmask himself as Andrade. The former WWE and AEW star wasted no time reminding fans of his intensity, drilling Omega with his signature move, The Message. Moments later, he shook hands with Don Callis, officially joining forces with the Callis Family.

This return also marks a unique milestone: Andrade is now the first wrestler to make the jump from WWE to AEW, return to WWE, and then head back to AEW again. His career path has been anything but conventional, and this latest twist keeps him firmly in the spotlight.

What Led to His AEW Comeback?

Andrade’s WWE comeback earlier this year was short-lived. Reports suggest he was released in mid-September after disciplinary issues, despite still having significant time left on his contract. With no non-compete clause in play, AEW was able to bring him back immediately. According to Fightful Select, Andrade has signed on full-time with AEW, meaning fans can expect to see him regularly on Dynamite and Collision moving forward.

His first AEW run ended somewhat chaotically, with rumors of a backstage altercation with Sammy Guevara and speculation he was pushing to leave early. Despite that, Tony Khan spoke highly of him upon his 2023 departure, leaving the door open for a return — a door Andrade has now walked back through.

Andrade vs. MJF Brewing?

The timing of Andrade’s comeback is also interesting considering his recent online back-and-forth with MJF. What started as a playful exchange about meeting up in Mexico quickly escalated, with Andrade challenging Friedman to a potential Mask vs. Hair match. MJF brushed it off, but not before throwing some personal jabs Andrade’s way, referencing his divorce from Charlotte Flair and past backstage conflicts.

With Andrade now standing alongside Don Callis, who has been staking claims against the Hurt Syndicate (MJF’s crew), it feels inevitable that these two will cross paths sooner rather than later.

What’s Next for El Idolo?

Outside of AEW, Andrade is also booked for House of Glory’s Superclash on November 15th, though his opponent has yet to be announced. With AEW and TNA talent also set to appear at the event, his schedule looks busier than ever.

One thing is clear: Andrade’s latest AEW run isn’t just a cameo — it’s the start of a new chapter. And with Don Callis in his corner, it might be the most dangerous version of Andrade El Idolo we’ve seen yet.

Andrade Quietly Exits WWE Once Again

It looks like Andrade’s second WWE run has come to an abrupt end. Over the weekend, fans noticed the former NXT Champion had been shifted to the Alumni section of WWE.com, and reports have since confirmed that he is no longer with the company.

According to Fightful Select, Andrade still had around 18 months left on his contract, but the move had apparently been in motion for at least a week. Interestingly, several talent within WWE were said to be blindsided by the news, with some admitting they had no idea he was leaving. Andrade also hadn’t been seen backstage at SmackDown in recent weeks, fueling speculation behind the scenes.

“The Takedown on SI” has reported that WWE made the call to let go of the former AEW star, and they also noted that the Mexican star’s exit was not a “mutual decision.”

Dave Meltzer also reported on “Wrestling Observer Radio” that his release was disciplinary in nature from an incident a few weeks ago.

“…all I know is it was at a TV shoot and he was told to go home and he hasn’t been used since,” Meltzer said. “I was told it was not drug-related. It was not alcohol-related. It was not marriage-related, although the marriage [to Charlotte Flair] is over. But nobody would tell me what it was. It was enough to be sent home, and when he was sent home… The feeling when he got sent home was that it must be serious, because you don’t hear about that.”

Meltzer said that when he was sent home, those in the know assumed Andrade was done, but the confirmation came on Saturday. He said he didn’t know the whole story outside of it being disciplinary but it wasn’t Andrade’s choice to leave.

A Run Cut Short

Andrade’s departure ends his second stint in WWE, which began with a surprise return in the 2024 Royal Rumble after leaving AEW. His comeback seemed promising, but ultimately, it never reached the heights of his first WWE tenure, where he captured both the NXT Championship and United States Championship.

This latest run saw Andrade hold the WWE Speed Championship for 161 days, but beyond that, major opportunities were few and far between. His last appearance came at SummerSlam, teaming with Rey Fenix in a Six-Pack TLC Match for the WWE Tag Team Titles. Fightful notes that creative originally had Andrade and Fenix penciled in to face The Wyatt Sicks at Clash at Paris, but plans were scrapped when his status with the company became uncertain.

What’s Next for El Idolo?

With Andrade now gone, the big question is where he lands next. While AEW seems like the most obvious destination, his first exit from Tony Khan’s promotion wasn’t exactly smooth. Still, sources told Fightful that “no bridge is truly burned” in AEW, leaving the door cracked open for a potential return.

On the personal side, Andrade’s run also coincided with his divorce from Charlotte Flair, which drew some headlines earlier this year.

For now, fans will be keeping a close eye on Andrade’s next move. Whether it’s AEW, a return to Mexico, or another surprise destination, the former “El Idolo” remains one of wrestling’s most gifted in-ring talents — and there’s little doubt he’ll find a spotlight again soon.

Charlotte Flair and Andrade Officially Divorced

The marriage between WWE Superstar Charlotte Flair and fellow wrestler Andrade has officially ended after two years. According to Florida court records obtained by TMZ, Flair (real name Ashley Fliehr) initially filed for divorce in June 2023, and a judge finalized the split in December 2024.

Flair and Andrade (Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza) tied the knot in May 2022 in a lavish ceremony held in Andrade’s hometown in Mexico. The wedding, covered by People, featured several wrestling legends in attendance, including Flair’s father, Ric Flair, and WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.

A Relationship That Rarely Crossed Into Work

Though both are prominent figures in the wrestling world, their careers never truly overlapped on-screen. The couple first made headlines in 2019 when dating rumors surfaced during Andrade’s initial WWE run. By New Year’s Day 2020, they had announced their engagement. However, Andrade left WWE in 2021 to sign with AEW, keeping them in separate promotions for much of their marriage.

In 2023, Andrade returned to WWE at the Royal Rumble, but by that point, Flair had been sidelined due to a knee injury, meaning they once again spent little time in the same workplace. The closest their careers ever came to intersecting was Andrade teaming with Ric Flair for Ric Flair’s Last Match in 2022, shortly after the wedding.

No Public Reason Given for the Split

At this time, no official reason for the divorce has been disclosed. TMZ noted that court documents did not include any specifics regarding the separation.

For Andrade, 35, this was his first marriage, while the 38-year-old Flair has been married twice before.

Following the news of the divorce, Flair addressed fans on Instagram, expressing gratitude for their support:

“To all my amazing friends, family, and fans – thank you for your unwavering support and for continuing to be there through thick and thin. I truly appreciate each of you.”

While both stars have remained silent on the details of their split, fans will likely be watching closely to see what the future holds for them—both personally and professionally.

Former WWE Star Andrade El Idolo Signs With AEW

Andrade El Idolo (formerly known as Andrade in WWE) is now officially All Elite as he made his AEW debut on Friday Night Dynamite alongside Vicki Guerrero. Coming out in the second segment of the show, his debut comes only a couple of months after the wrestler asked for and was granted his release by WWE.

https://twitter.com/AEWonTNT/status/1401002870757990404

The 31-year-old originally first appeared in WWE in 2015 and the sky was the limit for the International star. Having formerly wrestled under a mask and going by the name La Sombra, he had become a major star in Mexico and Japan and was a founding member of Los Ingobernables.

Andrade was a big star in NXT and eventually won the NXT Championship. But, upon his debut with WWE’s main roster, he didn’t see the same type of success. He was quickly relegated to mid card status and then often not used at all. Eventually, he requested his release and it was granted, after it appeared WWE was, at first, hesitant to do so.

There are many who suggest WWE really dropped the ball with Andrade. He is a tremendous in-ring worker and while the criticism in WWE seemed to be that he had trouble cutting promos, he took a swing at one on his first night in AEW and seemed to do just fine. He said he used to be known as the face of Latinos. Now, he’ll be known as the face all All Elite Wrestling.

According to an exclusive report by WrestlingInc. Andrade met with Tony Khan of AEW right at the time of his release with WWE. Because he didn’t have a non-compete clause in his contract, he was free to sign right away. Khan was keen to bring him in, but the reason it didn’t work out is because Andrade had a list of demands that Khan was uncomfortable meeting.

The report notes, “Negotiations stalled because of Andrade’s demands, which included wanting creative control and veto power on losing.” They add, “There was a compromise made on that, and he will have a limited amount of creative control on his finishes. Andrade also wanted to work for other companies outside of WWE.”

The site is also reporting that IMPACT Wrestling had spoken extensively with Andrade and that he asked for the same demands and while they were willing to guarantee part of his creative control requirements, the two sides were far apart on the number of dates he was going to be guaranteed on a paid-per-date deal. This is how a lot of IMPACT deals are structured now. They add, “They were pretty close on a one-off appearance at one point.”

Source: The Sportster

Kenny Omega And Andrade’s Mega Title Match Confirmed For Triplemania XXIX

AAA has confirmed Kenny Omega will defend the Mega Championship against Andrade at Triplemania XXIX.

Kenny Omega has had time to think about it and decided he would like to defend the Mega Championship against Andrade at Triplemania. Omega will return to the Mexican promotion to defend its richest prize this summer at Triplemania XXIX. The promotion also confirmed its biggest event of the year will take place on August 14, 2021, with a limited number of fans in attendance.

Andrade made a surprise appearance in AAA via a video package earlier this month, at which point he challenged Omega to a title match. Omega responded, telling Andrade he was very busy and would have to get back to him.  The Mega Champion found some time in his busy schedule to properly reply to Andrade’s challenge, accepting the match and telling the former WWE Superstar he should be thankful Omega is flying the flag for lucha libre.

In defense of Omega, he is a pretty busy guy right now. Being the World Champion for three different promotions comes with a pretty packed schedule. Following the announcement of his match at Triplemania, Omega now knows when he will have to defend each of those titles next. The Mega Title at Triplemania, the Impact Championship at Against All Odds, and his AEW Title later this month at Double or Nothing.

The women’s divisions in Impact and AAA are also set to merge at Triplemaina. Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo will defend her title against AAA Women’s Champion Faby Apache. As was the case when Omega faced Rich Swann earlier this year, the winner of this match will leave Triplemania with both titles. Wrestling’s forbidden door has truly never been more open.

Andrade fans won’t have to wait until Triplemania to see the lucha star back in action. The former NXT Champion currently has a match booked in June, and will also face Alberto Del Rio in July. As for where Andrade will land on a more permanent basis, he has teased a number of landing spots. The most recent reports suggest AEW will be his promotion of choice. Perhaps he will show up on Dynamite to confront Omega.

Source: The Sportster

WWE Announces Andrade’s Release

WWE has released Andrade.

It was announced after WWE Fastlane pay-per-view that Andrade is no longer with the company. WWE noted that they have come to the terms on his released, and they wished him the best in his future endeavors, as seen below.

Earlier this month, Andrade requested his WWE release while backstage at the March 8 edition of RAW. It was later reported that he looked “absolutely miserable” while at the taping. This was revealed after Andrade dropped the “WWE” from his Twitter handle and removed WWE from his bio.

Andrade broke his silence on the reports earlier this week, confirming that the rumors were true. He also noted in that post that he didn’t know what the future holds, but he wanted his dreams to come true.

It had been reported that WWE was not planning on granting the release request, but it was made official after Fastlane last night. Andrade tweeted during the pay-per-view that he had “good news” to come, using the “#Happy” hashtag in the post.

Andrade, who is engaged to be married to Charlotte Flair, last appeared on RAW at WWE Draft time in October 2020. He was taken out by “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt in his last appearance. He then took some time off to undergo a minor procedure after the Draft, and was never officially drafted to RAW or SmackDown. He was scheduled to be out of action for around a month, but never returned. There had been rumors of Andrade returning to WWE NXT or possibly being brought back to RAW with Charlotte, but nothing ever came of the chatter.

After successful runs in Mexico and New Japan Pro Wrestling, WWE signed Andrade to work NXT in November 2015. He made his in-ring debut at a January 2016 live event, and had a strong run on the brand until being called up to SmackDown in April 2018 as a part of the Superstar Shake-Up. He leaves the company as a one-time NXT Champion and a one-time WWE United States Champion. He last wrestled on the October 12 RAW Draft show, a loss to Angel Garza.

You can see WWE’s release announcement below:

Andrade released

WWE has come to terms on the release of Andrade. We wish him all the best in all of his future endeavors.

Source: Wrestling Inc.