Andrade Officially Set for First Post-WWE Match at The Crash in Mexico

pranithkumarkanna@gmail.com|Modified on Sep 20, 2025, 17:21 GMT

Following his surprising release from WWE in September 2025, former WWE United States and NXT Champion Andrade has officially confirmed his first post-WWE wrestling appearance. Andrade will be competing at The Crash event on Friday, October 3, 2025, at the Auditorio Fausto Gutierrez Moreno in Tijuana, Mexico. This marks the first confirmed booking for the high-profile star since his second departure from WWE earlier this month[3].

Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza, known simply as Andrade in WWE, was released after nearly a year and a half on his second WWE run, a tenure that began with a surprise return in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble and concluded following SummerSlam 2025. The veteran competitor last appeared on WWE programming on August 3 at SummerSlam, competing in a high-stakes six-pack TLC Tag Team Championship match alongside Rey Fenix against The Wyatt Sicks[1][2][5].

According to well-sourced reporting from Fightful Select and Wrestling News, Andrade’s exit from WWE was not related to contract expirations or workforce budget cuts but instead stemmed from a disciplinary matter unrelated to drugs, alcohol, or personal issues. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer cited the situation as a “disciplinary thing” that the company handled quietly[3][4][6]. Sources close to WWE confirm that Andrade’s departure was an isolated incident and disrupted creative plans involving him and Rey Fenix, including plans for championship runs that had to be scrapped immediately after SummerSlam[4].

Since his release, Andrade has remained active on social media, posting brief thank you messages to WWE fans and teasing new opportunities, including possible storylines involving AEW’s MJF and appearances in Mexico’s top wrestling promotions, further fuelling speculation about his post-WWE career[3][5]. An insider close to Andrade revealed that he is eager to reconnect with fans in Mexico and re-establish his roots in the lucha libre scene, a wrestling culture he thrived in before rising to international stardom[3].

Andrade initially signed with WWE in 2015, quickly making an impact by winning the NXT Championship and later capturing the WWE United States Championship on the main roster. After requesting and securing his release in 2021, he spent nearly three years in AEW under the ring name Andrade El Idolo, gaining valuable experience and exposure before returning to WWE in early 2024[1][2].

The announcement of Andrade’s return to the ring in Tijuana at The Crash promotion is a significant development in the landscape of wrestling talent migration. The Crash is recognized for hosting top-tier international and Mexican stars, making it an ideal platform for Andrade to showcase his skills outside WWE. While Andrade’s opponent for the October 3 event has yet to be announced, wrestling fans and analysts alike anticipate a high-profile matchup that could lead to further bookings throughout Mexico and possibly beyond[3].

An industry source with knowledge of Andrade’s plans told Wrestling News, “Andrade is motivated to prove himself all over again. His time away from WWE doesn’t diminish his talent or star power, and his first post-WWE show at The Crash will be a statement. Mexican wrestling fans are excited to see him back home in a place with rich wrestling traditions.”[3]

As Andrade embarks on this new chapter, observers will watch closely to see if he leverages this momentum for further opportunities internationally or explores options in other major promotions. His history of compelling in-ring work and strong fan connection positions him well for success beyond WWE’s global spotlight.

Key Takeaways:

Andrade officially booked for The Crash wrestling event on October 3, 2025, in Tijuana, Mexico, marking his first confirmed match after his WWE release[3].
His WWE release was reportedly due to disciplinary reasons, not contract expiration or budget cuts, and disrupted creative plans[4][6].
Andrade’s WWE second run lasted from early 2024 until his August 2025 SummerSlam appearance where he competed in a TLC tag match[1][2].
Former WWE and AEW star is expected to re-engage deeply with the Mexican wrestling circuit[3].
Fans and insiders anticipate Andrade’s return to Mexico will lead to impactful performances and possible future storylines with international implications[3].

This news is confirmed by multiple trusted sources including WWE.com updates, Fightful Select reports, and direct confirmation from The Crash promotion. Wrestling fans and analysts looking to follow Andrade’s career post-WWE should keep an eye on The Crash’s October event and Andrade’s social media for further announcements.

Reported by a professional wrestling journalist with information from WWE.com, Fightful Select, Wrestling News, and direct backstage sources, September 20, 2025.

More News

Sami Zayn Dominates Again, Defends WWE United States Title Against Carmelo Hayes on SmackDown

Sami Zayn successfully retained the WWE United States Championship for the fourth consecutive week, pinning Carmelo Hayes in a thrilling match on the September 19, 2025, episode of SmackDown. This win marks Zayn’s fourth defense in just four weeks, cementing his resilient hold on the prestigious title[4][2].

The United States Championship has been fiercely contested over the past month, but Sami Zayn continues to prove why he remains a fighting champion. In this week’s highly anticipated Open Challenge, Zayn faced off against Carmelo Hayes, one of WWE’s top rising stars. The fifteen-minute encounter flowed with fast-paced exchanges and near falls that kept the crowd on edge[4][3].

From the opening bell, Zayn showcased his veteran savvy by targeting Hayes’ arm, aiming...

Big E Offers In-Depth Wrestlepalooza Preview, Labels Brock Lesnar a “Scary, Scary Individual”

As WWE’s inaugural Wrestlepalooza event under its banner draws near, Superstar Big E sat down for a revealing discussion on the “Raw Recap with Sam Roberts and Megan Morant” podcast to break down the highly anticipated card scheduled for September 20, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana[1][3]. Offering expert insights from both a wrestler’s and fan’s perspective, Big E unpacked the compelling storylines and explosive matchups, while singling out the return of Brock Lesnar as a key factor for excitement and apprehension.

Wrestlepalooza 2025: A Revival with High Stakes

Wrestlepalooza, returning for the first time since 2000, showcases WWE’s intent to blend legacy and fresh rivalries by featuring both veteran icons and emerging stars[1]. Among the five matches highlighted,...

WWE Stable The Secret Hervice Launches Recruitment for New Member Amid Piper Niven’s Hiatus

In a surprising yet intriguing move, WWE Superstar Chelsea Green announced that her faction, The Secret Hervice, is actively seeking a new member to join their ranks as a temporary “fill-in candidate.” This recruitment effort comes amid the prolonged absence of Piper Niven, who has served as the faction’s “head of security” under the alias ‘Slaygent P.’ Green made the announcement on September 20, 2025, via her official social media channels, further stirring interest among WWE fans and insiders about the future evolution of her group.

Piper Niven’s Mysterious Absence Spurs New Search

The catalyst behind this recruitment drive appears to be Piper Niven’s unexplained absence from WWE programming. The Scottish wrestler, a prominent part of The Secret Hervice since...

Jey Uso Opens Up About the Biggest Challenge During His WWE Singles Run: It Wasn’t the Wrestling

Jey Uso, one half of the legendary Uso Brothers, recently shared that the toughest part of his transition into a singles WWE Superstar wasn’t the in-ring competition, but the isolation that came from traveling alone. In a candid interview with Sports Illustrated, Jey revealed that leaving behind his brothers and the constant camaraderie they shared was the most difficult obstacle during his singles run on Monday Night Raw[1].

For years, Jey and his twin brother Jimmy Uso have been synonymous with tag team excellence, holding records such as the longest male tag team championship reign in WWE history at 622 days, and redefining the tag division’s stature in WWE. However, when Jey was drafted to Raw and began a solo...

Wrestling Arena News