Andrade's WWE Release Keeps Getting Worse (WWE News)
More details on Andrade's WWE exit.
With Andrade having now departed WWE, fresh details are coming out about the former WWE United States Champion's company exit.
Those who may have missed it, this past weekend brought word that Andrade is no longer with WWE, and that this was very much a WWE decision rather than a mutual agreement. Various reports noted how the 35-year-old still had more than 18 months remaining on his prior WWE deal, and that there were even tentative plans for him and Rey Fenix to challenge the Wyatt Sicks for the WWE Tag Team Titles at Clash in Paris last month. Instead, it was the Street Profits going up against the Wyatts in France, and Andrade's final match with the market leader was teaming with Fenix in the six-team TLC bout at SummerSlam.
Speaking on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer has now said how, while he doesn't know the full story, the reason behind Andrade's WWE exit was "a discipline thing" at a TV taping. Meltzer added how this issue was not related to drugs, alcohol, or Andrade's divorce from his now-ex-wife Charlotte Flair, but noted that the star was sent home. The Observer founder mentioned that the people who were familiar with this situation believed that Andrade was done with WWE once he was told to go home. On a side note, Meltzer also said that WWE had interest in Andrade working in AAA, though it's unclear why that never happened.
Elsewhere, Sports Illustrated's Jon Alba reiterated that Andrade's release was due to a disciplinary issue, adding that the one-time La Sombra had at least one wellness policy violation during his second WWE run. The specifics of this violation are unknown, but it could be that Andrade tested positive for a banned substance, or it could be that he failed to produce a test when requested. It's not known whether this violation directly led to Andrade's release, though Alba stated that the talent was suspended without pay as a result. Andrade also had a 30-day suspension for a wellness policy violation during his first WWE run, with the company announcing that suspension in January 2020. Since being under the TKO banner, though, WWE has not publicly announced any violations or suspensions.
Adding further to this wider story, Mike Johnson at PWInsider is another who confirmed the wellness policy violation, while adding that there are rumours that Andrade travelled to a South American country and was unable to be contacted by WWE for several weeks after being sent home. Johnson also discussed the AAA element of this, stating that three different sources told him that at no point was there ever any request made for Andrade to be involved in any pitches for AAA. From Andrade's viewpoint, reports note that the talent himself had no interest in working with AAA, too.
It's likely worth mentioning that Andrade came through with CMLL, AAA's long-time rival, and worked for that promotion for nearly a decade before initially signing with WWE in late 2015. In fact, when looking back at his career, Andrade has only had two matches in AAA - Triplemania XXIX against Kenny Omega for the AAA Mega Championship, and a six-person mixed tag match at Triplemania XXX: Monterrey - both of which came during his time with AEW.
Expect more on all of this as this story continues to develop.