Andrade El Idolo Makes Shock NJPW Return After WWE Firing

Andrade El Idolo might have disappeared in AEW, but he’s now returned to NJPW after his WWE firing.

On October 1st, Andrade El Idolo made a shock return to AEW just weeks after it was reported he’d been fired by WWE. According to that report, the former NXT Champion was let go after several breaches of the company’s wellness policy.

However, his return to AEW was very short-lived as it soon emerged that WWE contracts contain a non-compete clause for an entire year if the star in question is fired for cause.

It’s been suggested that Andrade would win a legal challenge against his former employer if he fought that clause in court, but that doesn’t look like that will happen.

Andrade El Idolo Heading To Wrestle Kingdom

Now, after Andrade El Idolo made a surprise appearance at a House of Glory show, it seems that his non-compete issues could well and truly be behind him as he made a shock return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

At the go-home show for Wrestle Kingdom on January 4th, 2026, United Empire defeated Gedo, Hiromu Takahashi, and Shingo Takagi in a trios match. As the beatdown continued after the match, the lights went out, and a pre-taped video featuring Andrade El Idolo played.

El Idolo revealed that he is one of the mystery partners of the United Empire for their huge ten-man tag team match at Wrestle Kingdom.