Backstage News On Andrade’s AEW Return

A new report has shed light on how Andrade was able to make his AEW return so quickly after departing WWE.

On September 13th, news broke that Andrade had been released from WWE. It was later reported that the promotion let him go due to a disciplinary violation at a TV taping several weeks earlier. The star was seemingly sent home from the taping and never used again.

Less than three weeks later, on the October 1st edition of Dynamite, Andrade made his shock return to AEW. On the show, he attacked Kenny Omega, leaving the Best Bout Machine lying in the ring. Don Callis then approached the star and shook his hand, making clear that he was the latest member of the ever-growing Don Callis Family.

The return was notable because WWE stars typically have to wait out a contractual 90-day no-compete clause before they can sign with another promotion, and Andrade had only been a free agent for 18 days.

Andrade Fired From WWE For Multiple Wellness Policy Violations

Now, Mike Johnson of PWInsider has reported that the no-compete clause was waived due to the nature of the Mexican star’s WWE departure. According to Johnson, multiple WWE sources informed him that Andrade was cut due to “numerous WWE Wellness violations” over the last year.

Because of this, WWE seemingly decided to cut the star outright rather than pay him through a 90-day no-compete period.

Andrade previously worked for AEW from 2021-2023, feuding with the likes of Darby Allin, Cody Rhodes, and Malakai Black. He also formed La Faccion Ingobernable alongside Rush, which led to a feud with the Lucha Bros. His last match for the company took place at Worlds End in 2023, where he lost to Miro – now WWE’s Rusev. The star declined to sign a new contract with the promotion, instead heading back to WWE.

Do you think AEW made the right decision to re-sign Andrade so quickly? Should WWE have held him to the 90-day no-compete clause? Let us know your thoughts below!