Andrade Reportedly Released by WWE

The future of Andrade in WWE appears uncertain following multiple reports about his apparent release. According to Jon Alba’s report on SI.com’s The Takedown, sources indicate Andrade was “effectively released” by WWE. Importantly, the move was not a mutual decision and Andrade himself did not request the release. Alba further noted that Andrade had not been seen around the company in the past month. Some WWE talent were reportedly informed of his departure only recently. Everything Alba has heard points to Andrade being cut or fired, rather than leaving by choice. Additionally, sources stressed that the release was “not related to budget cuts.” Alba also pointed out that WWE typically does not issue contracts as short as a year and a half, highlighting the unusual nature of Andrade’s current situation.

Fightful Confirms Andrade’s Exit

Shortly after fans noticed Andrade’s official WWE profile had been quietly updated to list him as part of the “WWE Alumni” section, Fightful Select confirmed that “Andrade is gone from WWE.” Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that Andrade was not on WWE’s internal injury list in August. When Sapp asked about Andrade’s absence from recent matches, he was told, “if it was possible, he would be.” This response suggested that his exclusion was not due to medical reasons.

Andrade’s Recent WWE Run

Andrade rejoined WWE in early 2024, making a surprise return as an entrant in the Men’s Royal Rumble match. He followed up with a series of dominant wins on Raw, and later became involved in the Mysterio family storyline. This angle included the LWO and Legado Del Fantasma, though reports indicated Andrade was not fully satisfied with this role. The 35-year-old was also part of this year’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. His last WWE appearance came in the Clash in Paris Six Pack TLC Tag Team Championship match, where he and Fenix fell short. Just last week, questions about his status were raised in Cain Knight’s WWE Stock Report column, where Knight asked, “What’s going on with Andrade?” Despite the speculation, no answers emerged until the latest reports confirmed his release.

Previous WWE and AEW Tenure

This marks the second time Andrade has left WWE. He originally signed with the company in 2015 and spent roughly six years there, capturing titles such as the NXT Championship, the United States Championship, and the WWE Speed Championship. Andrade requested and received his release in 2021. Following his exit, he had a brief and uneven run in AEW, before returning to WWE in 2024. His comeback seemed promising, but eventually, his role diminished before leading to this reported release.

Lucha Libre Connection

The timing of Andrade’s exit is notable given WWE’s recent acquisition of AAA and the company’s growing interest in expanding into lucha libre. Andrade even appeared at WrestleMania’s announcement of the AAA deal, but he never wrestled in AAA or participated in crossover events between WWE and the Mexican promotion. During his time as the masked luchador La Sombra, Andrade had a history with AAA’s rival CMLL, which now partners with AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling. However, there is no indication that these affiliations had anything to do with his current departure.

Personal Life and Speculation

Andrade’s past relationship with WWE star Charlotte Flair, which ended in divorce last year, has already sparked speculation online. However, reports emphasize that there is no evidence linking his personal life to his release.

Looking Ahead

At this point, neither WWE nor Andrade has publicly commented on the matter. While Fightful and SI.com have provided clarity that his release was not tied to budget cuts or expiring contracts, the full circumstances remain unknown. For now, Andrade’s second WWE run has come to an end, leaving fans and analysts to wait for new details about what led to this surprising decision and what lies ahead for the former champion.