Andrade El Ídolo Returns to AEW on Dynamite and Aligns With Don Callis Family After Contract Drama

Andrade El Ídolo’s status has been a hot topic over the past week, and now the speculation is officially over.

After appearing for multiple promotions following his WWE exit, questions swirled about where Andrade would land next and whether legal hurdles were still in play. That uncertainty ended during the January 7, 2026 episode of AEW Dynamite, when Andrade made his surprise return to All Elite Wrestling.

The moment came late in the show after a chaotic Trios Match involving Jack Perry and The Young Bucks against The Demand. As the post-match scene descended into another Don Callis Family beatdown, JetSpeed rushed in to even the odds. The lights then went out, and when they came back on, a masked attacker wiped out JetSpeed. Seconds later, the mask came off—revealing Andrade El Idolo.

Andrade stood tall in the ring alongside Don Callis’ group, immediately signaling where his loyalties now lie. The camera cut to The Demand watching from the ramp, followed by FTR stepping onto the stage, clearly taking notice of Andrade’s alignment and what it could mean for the tag division moving forward.

The return comes after a complicated few weeks for Andrade. Following his WWE departure, he worked dates for House of Glory and New Japan Pro Wrestling, which raised eyebrows due to WWE’s typical non-compete clauses. According to an earlier report, Andrade’s WWE contract officially ended around December 12, and while a non-compete was initially expected, it was not believed to be enforceable. The situation was reportedly handled professionally, with legal representation helping smooth the process.

AEW had remained optimistic behind the scenes throughout the uncertainty. Tony Khan and others within the company stayed open to Andrade’s return, and Dynamite confirmed that confidence was well placed.

Now officially back in AEW and immediately tied to one of the promotion’s most dangerous factions, Andrade’s return reshapes the landscape heading into 2026. With Don Callis pulling the strings and multiple teams now watching closely, this reunion looks like it could escalate fast.

What do you think about Andrade El Ídolo returning to AEW and aligning with the Don Callis Family? Is this the right move for him, or should he have gone in a different direction? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback below.