AEW's Andrade Had "Multiple Wellness Violations" In WWE (AEW News)
Andrade El Idolo comments on AEW return, but...does he view it as "secondary" to WWE?
Multiple sources within the company have confirmed to PWInsider that Andrade was cut from the roster recently "due to numerous WWE Wellness violations over the last year". That clearly didn't sit right with Triple H or other members of upper management, so they decided to end the ex-NXT Champ's time in WWE "outright".
That's why he was able to show up on AEW television so quickly - Andrade El Idolo's release didn't carry the expected 90-day non-compete clause that fans and industry critics have come to expect whenever WWE ends someone's contract. This also makes it clear that the promotion no longer plans to publicly announce when workers have violated the Wellness Policy.
Not many caught wind of Andrade's violations across the previous 12 months. A lot of that flew under the radar, which made it a slight surprise when news spread that he was departing WWE for a second time in 4 years.
El Idolo popped back up on the 1 October edition of AEW Dynamite by attacking Kenny Omega. He was swiftly revealed to be the newest member of the swelling Don Callis Family stable. Previously, Andrade had been teaming on and off with Rey Fenix on SmackDown, and it looked for all the world like they'd become WWE Tag-Team Champions at one point.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about all of this is WWE's decision. They cut Andrade without the standard 90-day deal, which meant they could stop paying him immediately. That left the Mexican star free to line up bookings on the independent scene alongside inking fresh terms with Tony Khan.
Andrade has since posted via X thanking fans for their support.
Will Andrade Always View AEW As "Secondary" To WWE?
Dave Meltzer corroborated the PWInsider report via Wrestling Observer Radio by offering this about El Idolo: "He was fired". Then, the Wrestling Observer head turned his attention to comments "people in AEW who know Andrade" told him about the wrestler's second stint with the group.
According to Meltzer, those inside All Elite Wrestling believe that Andrade will "always think of Tony Khan as secondary to WWE, no matter what". In addition, those sources told Dave that AEW and Khan are "asking for trouble" by rehiring him so soon after his latest WWE departure.
Tony clearly thinks there's value in El Idolo as part of the Don Callis Family. It remains to be seen whether or not Andrade will stand out on his own as one of the faction's top members, or if he'll slink into the background on AEW's roster like he did during his first run with the company between 2021-2023.