Andrade, the renowned lucha libre star who made his WWE return at last year’s Royal Rumble, has been officially released from the company as of mid-September 2025. The breakout news surfaced when WWE updated its official roster, moving Andrade to the alumni section, confirming his departure. According to multiple reports, including Sports Illustrated and sources close to WWE, Andrade’s exit stemmed from disciplinary reasons related to a violation of WWE’s wellness policy during his recent run[1][2].

Sources reveal that this wellness violation was not Andrade’s first. Back in January 2020, during his initial tenure with WWE, Andrade had already faced suspension due to a wellness policy breach when WWE publicly disclosed such matters. However, since WWE ceased public announcements on wellness violations, details surrounding the current infraction remain scarce. What is known is that Andrade faced at least one suspension without pay connected to violating the policy in this recent stint[1].

Insiders disclosed that the situation escalated to the point where Andrade was ordered to leave a WWE TV taping last month, disrupting major creative plans for his tag team partnership with Rey Fenix. This backstage incident reportedly occurred shortly after his wellness suspension and affected storyline momentum significantly. According to a high-level source familiar with the situation, Andrade was escorted out of the arena during the taping, signaling serious disciplinary action on WWE’s part[1].

Further backstage reports from Fightful and wrestling podcasts indicate that following the disciplinary incidents, Andrade effectively ghosted WWE, with the company struggling to reach him for weeks. These communication breakdowns compounded the challenges of managing Andrade’s role creatively and professionally within WWE programming[2].

Andrade’s last in-ring appearance came at SummerSlam on August 3, 2025. He competed in a high-profile six-way WWE Tag Team Championship ladder match, marking an abrupt end to his WWE run shortly thereafter[1]. This sudden exit leaves fans and industry insiders alike speculating on what Andrade’s future may hold.

According to sources close to Cody Rhodes and other executives at WWE, Andrade’s releases and backstage issues underline ongoing challenges the company faces with talent management and wellness enforcement under the current regime. While WWE has tightened scrutiny over wellness policy adherence, the secrecy surrounding these policies often leads to speculation and frustration among fans and wrestlers[1][2].

What’s Next for Andrade?

With his WWE chapter closed, speculation about Andrade’s next move is gaining momentum across wrestling media. Industry insiders suggest several potential avenues for the talented star:

• Return to AEW: Given AEW’s history of embracing international and lucha libre talent, Andrade could reunite with Rey Fenix and regain creative momentum. AEW has previously welcomed Andrade after his initial WWE exit, where he enjoyed notable runs supported by Vickie Guerrero’s storyline involvement.

• Mexican and International Promotions: Andrade might return to Mexico’s premier promotions such as AAA or CMLL, where his lucha libre roots remain strong and his star power endures.

• Independent Circuit and International Tours: A move to work in Japan’s NJPW or various independent promotions could provide Andrade a platform to reinvent himself and rebuild his career outside WWE’s corporate structure.

Wrestling observers emphasize that Andrade’s in-ring talent and charisma remain highly respected. His departure, though disappointing to WWE fans, could spark a resurgence in opportunities across the wrestling landscape. Sources close to Andrade hint he is currently taking time to reassess his career trajectory and explore offers, prioritizing creative freedom and wellness stability moving forward[2].

WWE and Wellness Policy Enforcement

Andrade’s case highlights WWE’s evolving approach to wellness policy enforcement, which covers a range of issues including drug testing and mental health protocols. While WWE once publicly disclosed violations, recent years have seen a shift toward internal management and confidential handling of incidents. This approach contributes to limited public information but underscores WWE’s commitment to maintaining performer health and company standards.

Industry analysts note that the company’s quieter wellness policy enforcement can sometimes create ambiguity and confusion among fans and observers when prominent talents depart abruptly. Andrade’s termination underscores the complexities of balancing discipline with the unpredictable dynamics of professional wrestling backstage culture[1][2].

In conclusion, Andrade’s WWE departure following a wellness policy violation and backstage incident has left fans and insiders reflecting on the challenges wrestlers face behind the scenes. As WWE continues to navigate talent management and wellness enforcement, Andrade’s future remains an intriguing storyline in its own right. Wrestling audiences can expect further updates as Andrade plots his next professional chapter beyond WWE’s banner.

This report is based on information from WWE.com’s roster updates, Sports Illustrated’s investigative reporting, Fightful’s backstage coverage, and multiple wrestling podcasts airing in September 2025.