AEW In Talks To Sign Andrade?

Is the former NXT and WWE United States Champion about to become All Elite?

Andrade AEW
AEW/WWE

All Elite Wrestling has held talks with Andrade, reports Dave Meltzer in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

The short report offers no further details beyond that. What stage the negotiations are at is unclear.

Currently one of the most sought-after free agents in professional wrestling, Andrade left WWE in March, doing so without the company's standard 90-day non-compete clause for departing wrestlers. He has legally been allowed to sign with another promotion since then but is yet to exercise that right.

Advertisement

Andrade appeared for AAA earlier this month, challenging AEW's Kenny Omega to a match for that company's Mega Championship. AEW's working relationship with AAA predates its newer deals with NJPW and IMPACT Wrestling.

19 June will see Andrade headline Federacion Wrestling's maiden pay-per-view voyage, as he teams with his former Los Ingobernables allies Rush, Bestia del Ring and a mystery partner against Matt Taven, PJ Black, and a couple of other surprise wrestlers. At the time of writing, this was the former WWE United States and NXT Champion's only announced match.

Advertisement

Andrade hadn't been used on WWE television five months prior to the company granting his formal release.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.