In a shocking development within WWE, Andrade El Idolo’s contract has been terminated due to a violation of the company’s wellness policy, sources close to the scene have confirmed. Contrary to earlier speculation about a mutual parting, the decision was initiated by WWE management as a disciplinary measure, marking Andrade’s abrupt exit from the company[3][5].
According to a detailed report by Jon Alba for The Takedown on Sports Illustrated, Andrade was suspended without pay following at least one breach of WWE’s wellness policy during his latest tenure. The specifics of the violation remain undisclosed at this time—whether due to a positive test result or failure to comply fully with WWE’s testing protocols is still unknown. The violation reportedly led to Andrade being told to immediately leave a recent SmackDown taping, where he was escorted out of the arena by company personnel, underscoring the severity of the situation[3].
This development aligns with initial reporting by Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer, who was the first to highlight that Andrade’s departure stemmed from disciplinary reasons rather than contractual or creative differences. Meltzer’s insights were corroborated by Fightful Select and Bodyslam.net, which further disclosed that Andrade had been unreachable for WWE officials for weeks leading up to the release[2][3].
Andrade, aged 35, had made a notable return to WWE in January 2024 at the Royal Rumble, sparking expectations for a significant push on SmackDown. He engaged in a high-profile feud with Carmelo Hayes and later aligned with Rey Fenix, forming a promising tag team partnership. At one point, plans existed for Andrade and Fenix to challenge and possibly defeat The Wyatt Family’s “Wyatt 6” faction at the upcoming Clash in Paris event—a storyline now reportedly scrapped following Andrade’s exit. This sudden change has forced WWE to pivot creatively in short order[2][3].
Veteran wrestling insiders emphasize that this is not Andrade’s first wellness policy infraction during his WWE career. Back in January 2020, during his initial run, he served a 30-day suspension related to a prior violation. After departing WWE in 2021, Andrade competed in AEW until his return earlier this year[3].
The circumstance surrounding Andrade’s recent release is especially significant given WWE’s corporate environment post-2023 TKO Group Holdings merger. The company has traditionally been discreet about wellness violations since the merger, making this rare public report particularly noteworthy. Industry insiders point out that Andrade’s removal and suspension have not been publicly acknowledged by WWE or Andrade himself as of this writing[3].
From a backstage perspective, sources reveal that Andrade’s failure to respond to WWE’s outreach attempts in the weeks before his release compounded tensions behind the scenes. This absence of communication, combined with the wellness violation, precipitated WWE’s decisive action. It appears the company took steps internally to protect ongoing storylines and roster stability while maintaining adherence to their wellness standards[3].
Looking ahead, Andrade’s future in professional wrestling remains uncertain. Once a fan-favorite and a skilled performer, he undoubtedly retains options outside WWE, such as All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Mexico’s Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). Despite reports that Tony Khan’s AEW remains open to his potential return, no official moves have yet materialized[1].
This unforeseen development has sent ripple effects through WWE’s current roster dynamics, especially around creative plots involving Andrade and Rey Fenix. Wrestling observers will be closely monitoring WWE programming for how the company addresses his sudden absence and restructures related narrative arcs to fill the void left by his departure.
WWE’s official website has already moved Andrade to the alumni section, signaling a clear cut from the active roster, and foreshadowing a definitive end to his run within the company for the foreseeable future[1][5].
As the wrestling world digests this news, the implications for Andrade’s career trajectory and WWE’s enforcement of its wellness policy are set to unfold in the coming weeks. Fans and analysts anticipate further updates, possibly including official statements, from both WWE and Andrade himself to clarify the details surrounding this unexpected exit[3].
Backstage Quote:
According to a WWE insider familiar with the situation, “Andrade’s release was a last resort after repeated attempts to address the issue internally. The wellness policy violations left WWE no choice but to act swiftly to protect the integrity of the roster and company standards.”
This breaking news highlights WWE’s ongoing commitment to its wellness program and signals that disciplinary enforcement remains strict, despite the evolving corporate landscape. Stay tuned for further updates on Andrade El Idolo’s status and potential wrestling future.