New Backstage Details On Andrade's WWE Release

An update on Andrade's WWE release: backstage reaction, his non-compete clause, and more.

by Andy H Murray
Andrade WWE
Twitter/@AndradeElIdolo

As covered earlier, Andrade has been released by WWE - and a fresh report from Fightful Select has brought some new backstage details on the situation to light.

The former United States and NXT Champion had requested his release a little over a week ago. This was quickly turned down by WWE, as is common practice, though they changed their mind sometime between the initial request and last night, when the release was revealed.

Per Fightful, people inside WWE were surprised by the company's decision to let Andrade go. It looked for a while like Andrade would suffer a similar fate to FTR, Brodie Lee, and PAC, all of whom were retained for months after asking to be let go.

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The 31-year-old will be able to keep wrestling as "Andrade" if he pleases, as this is part of his real name, though WWE owns the trademark to "Andrade 'Cien' Almas". Alternatively, he may opt to return to his pre-WWE ring name, "La Sombra," as he owns the relevant trademark.

If Andrade is bound by a standard 90-day WWE non-compete clause, it will expire on 20 June.

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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.