5 WWE Wrestlers Who Should Jump To AEW (And 5 Who Shouldn't)

8. SHOULD - Andrade

Ali Cesaro
Twitter/@AndradeElIdolo

Andrade on the main roster embodies WWE's strange, enervated match layouts.

Beyond an excellent, pulsating series with Rey Mysterio, Andrade has suffered profoundly from the imposed rhythm Vince McMahon mandates his performers to work in. He's a spectacular and explosive athlete, but, in a grand indictment of the WWE system, looks more like a star in the middle of the street in broad daylight than he ever has in a main roster ring.

There's a lethargic quality to his work, one perhaps as informed by his lack of motivation as much as the "TV" gear Vince McMahon recently instructed Shayna Baszler to familiarise herself with. He hates it in WWE - he warned Rush and Dragon Lee not to sign, and has himself requested his release - and they don't think enough of him to beat him even. The man who got over when paired with a great promo of a valet annoyed Vince McMahon by not speaking English fluently.

What is the purpose of a manger? What is the purpose of WWE's international recruitment drive? If there are no house shows anymore, why not let the the guys who can work bangers work bangers?

He needs to leave, but they won't let him leave because - and what a self-own this is - they are acutely aware of the fact that he can excel in AEW. And he can. Just imagine Kenny Omega countering the spinning back elbow into a snap dragon, which you'll have to for now.

He's going nowhere in every which way.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!