Andrade Explains Why He Didn’t Return To AAA After WWE Exit

Andrade’s WWE exit was full of controversy, and then his AEW arrival was even more scandalous. At this point, he is waiting out a non-compete clause from WWE, but there’s a reason for the moves he makes.

Andrade El Ídolo’s decision not to return to Lucha Libre AAA had nothing to do with ego, politics, or burned bridges. It had everything to do with who he believes he is now and where he is determined to go next. At a time when WWE’s working relationship with AAA opened the door for major crossover opportunities, Andrade made a deliberate choice to keep his focus elsewhere.

When WWE began exploring plans with AAA, Andrade was directly approached about being part of a major storyline that would have placed him in main event plans involving the AAA Mega Championship. The proposed idea included a fatal four way match with El Hijo del Vikingo, Rey Fénix, and Omos. On paper, it was a high profile opportunity. Andrade saw it differently.

Andrade recently opened up during the Enmascarados – El Podcast about why he didn’t go back to AAA. After all, this was a company where he had already established himself as a big name.

“I already made my name in AAA. I wrestled there as a star. If I’m here now, it’s because I want to be a global star. I don’t want to go backward.”

For Andrade, returning to AAA was not growth. It was repetition. He viewed his WWE run as the next phase of his career rather than a return to familiar ground. While a crossover could benefit others, Andrade felt it would not move him forward.

He also explained that many Mexican wrestlers currently in WWE had experienced legal and professional issues with AAA, something he was aware of as he weighed his options.

“A lot of Mexican wrestlers currently in WWE had legal issues with AAA, with their bookers or the owner. Many didn’t want to go back. They’d say, ‘I don’t want to deal with them again,’ and that’s why they’re here in WWE.”

Even so, Andrade made it clear that his decision was not rooted in conflict or resentment. “I never had problems with AAA. We talked, we negotiated, but we never signed anything. They never disrespected me. I don’t hold anything against them,” Andrade said.

When WWE management discussed how the AAA partnership could benefit him, Andrade explained why the move made sense for some wrestlers but not for him.

“I understand the relationship with AAA, but the fans in AAA already know me. If I go back, it’s not going to elevate me the way it would someone new like Dominik Mysterio. For him, it’s different. It’s exciting. For me, I’ve already been there.”

For Andrade, AAA represented a chapter he had already completed, while WWE represented the global platform he still wanted to conquer. “If I wanted to work with AAA, I’d ask WWE to pay me the same and just move back to Mexico. But that’s not what I want. I came here to be a top global name.”

Despite his stance, Andrade initially agreed to the creative direction of the proposed AAA match and saw value in the idea.

“They pitched the match with Vikingo, Fénix, Omos, and me. I was going to be the powerhouse to contrast their styles. I thought it was a great idea. They wanted me to be the heel. I agreed. But then…”

The plan fell apart when WWE scheduled Andrade for Money in the Bank on the same day as the AAA event.

“I saw I was scheduled for Money in the Bank, and I figured, well, that takes priority. The Great Americano wrestled twice that day once in AAA and once at Money in the Bank. But I was fully committed to WWE at that point.”

After that conflict, the AAA storyline quietly disappeared and Andrade never pushed for it to return. AAA made sense for others, but at this stage of his career, Andrade said his focus was firmly on moving forward rather than revisiting the past.

Andrade has been released from WWE in the past, but he returned. Only time will tell if he ever comes back, but he will certainly have fans waiting on his next move.

What’s your take on Andrade’s time after WWE? Do you think that he will end up in another company in 2026? Let us know what you think in the comments section!

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