Andrade Explains Last-Minute AEW Return & Legal Fallout With WWE

Andrade El Ídolo has pulled back the curtain on one of the wildest surprise returns in recent wrestling history—and according to him, it almost didn’t happen the way fans saw it.

Speaking on Enmascarados – El Podcast, Andrade detailed how his AEW return came together just days after leaving WWE in September 2025, why he believed he was legally free to appear, and how WWE only reacted after the moment went viral.

Andrade explained that when he officially left WWE on September 13, he immediately asked about a non‑compete clause—something most wrestlers receive in writing.

“I asked them directly if I had a non‑compete clause. Normally they send you a letter—three months, ninety days, whatever. I didn’t receive anything.”

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Because he never received paperwork, Andrade assumed he was clear to work elsewhere and began fielding calls from promoters worldwide. That’s when AEW unexpectedly reached out—while taping a show in Hollywood, Florida, just minutes from his home.

“They texted me and said, ‘Would you be okay with what we’re offering?’ I said yes. Then they go: ‘Can you debut tonight?’ I was like—tonight?!”

There was just one problem: Andrade wasn’t ready. No haircut. No shave. No preparation. But AEW was committed—and determined to keep the return completely secret. Andrade described an almost spy‑movie‑level operation to keep him hidden backstage.

“They snuck me in through the back entrance in a wheelchair, under a blanket or a cover. The other wrestlers didn’t even know.”

“I sat in a locked room for hours. They brought me water, food, checked on me… but I never came out.”

When the moment finally arrived—right after a Kenny Omega match—Andrade walked out wearing a black mask before revealing himself to the crowd.

“Nobody expected it. The place exploded.”

The reaction didn’t stop there. Andrade said the clip went nuclear online almost immediately. According to Andrade, that was the moment WWE finally reacted. Only days later, Andrade claims WWE contacted him with a very different message.

“The video online? It blew up—twelve, thirteen million views. I think that set off alarms at WWE. But they still didn’t send anything right away. They reached out and said, ‘You actually had a twelve‑month clause.’”

That revelation sparked the legal dispute that remains unresolved as of the interview. Andrade made it clear that at the time of his AEW return, he genuinely believed he was in the clear—and AEW acted accordingly.

The story paints Andrade’s AEW return as equal parts chaos, opportunity, and miscommunication—one that instantly became a viral moment and quietly ignited a behind‑the‑scenes legal battle.

Do you think Andrade was right to return when he did, or should AEW have waited until everything was officially in writing? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know where you land.

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