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AEW’s Door Reportedly Open For Recently Departed WWE Star

By Monika Thapa • Published Sep 14, 2025 06:43 EDT
wwe logo over andrade

A WWE star recently left the company.

Andrade officially left WWE on September 13, 2025. After months of speculation, wrestling news outlets confirmed that his profile had been quietly moved to WWE’s alumni section online, marking a definitive end to his second stint with the company. He had returned to the Stamford-based promotion at the January 2024 Royal Rumble.

According to a report by Sports Illustrated, Andrade’s exit was not a mutual decision. WWE sources described him as “effectively released” rather than someone who chose to walk away. This move was “in the works for at least a week,” affecting immediate creative plans, and surprising much of the talent backstage since his last appearance was at SummerSlam 2025 in a high-profile tag team TLC match.

BodySlam.net further revealed that creative frustrations and difficulties in reaching Andrade played significant roles in the decision. He had been unavailable backstage for nearly a month before the release, and the Stamford-based promotion struggled to connect with him leading up to the decision. Contrary to rumors, this exit was not associated with budget cuts or injury reports; he still had 18 months left on his contract.

Recently Released WWE Star Andrade Could Return To AEW

Before returning to WWE, Andrade was in AEW from July 2021 to December 2023. He debuted in AEW shortly after leaving the Stamford-based promotion, seizing high-profile matches but never capturing a championship. Despite fan excitement, inconsistent booking and backstage disputes contributed to his unease.

Fightful Select’s in-depth report describes Andrade’s AEW departure as unfolding on “less than ideal terms.” AEW had expected Andrade to renew his contract in late 2023, crafting future plans around him, but he surprised management by notifying them he wouldn’t re-sign.

This forced AEW to rapidly adjust creative directions. His decision to depart AEW was ultimately personal, as revealed in reports by Fightful and other sources, rooted in creative dissatisfaction and a desire for new opportunities.

Nevertheless, AEW sources reiterated to Fightful Select after his latest WWE exit that “no bridge is truly burned.”Tony Khan praised Andrade at the Worlds End post-show scrum, confirming they parted on good terms despite some disruption to storylines. This approach suggests the door remains open for Andrade’s possible return, especially since AEW has welcomed back past talent under similar circumstances.