Andrade El Idolo Addresses WWE Departure, Being Taken Off AEW TV After Return

Published: Mar 15, 2026 by Jamie Toolan | Last Updated: Mar 15, 2026 by Jamie Toolan

Jamie has been covering the world of wrestling for four years and currently holds the position of Assistant Editor of WrestleTalk.com. During his time working for WrestleTalk.com he has written and published over 4,000 news and feature articles covering events and happenings from WWE, AEW, TNA and a variety of international and independent wrestling promotions.

WWE/AEW

AEW star Andrade El Idolo has addressed his departure from WWE last year and the company’s reported attempt to implement a one-year non-compete clause on him after his exit.

In September 2025, one and a half years after he returned to WWE, Andrade El Idolo was fired from his WWE contract as a result of disciplinary issues.

Just weeks following his exit, Andrade re-emerged in AEW during the October 1 episode of AEW Dynamite to attack Kenny Omega and join The Don Callis Family.

However, shortly after returning to the company he had previously departed in December 2023, Andrade would vanish from TV, with reports suggesting that WWE were attempting to enforce a one-year non-compete clause on him due to him being fired with cause from WWE.

This would ultimately not be implemented and Andrade returned to AEW TV on the January 7 episode of Dynamite.

Speaking with SHAK Wrestling, Andrade was asked whether he feels WWE’s attempts to prevent him from appearing in AEW were “underhanded” or just a case of them following rules.

He said:

“It’s difficult to ask this question. Wrestlers compete, so imagine companies. I compete with Kenny, so I wanna show everyone that I am better than Kenny Omega. I want to show I’m better than MJF…

“…The companies compete, so I don’t know (if) it’s a good way, bad way. But this happened now.

“I am happy here in AEW, back to AEW, show everyone who Andrade El Idolo is. Show to the ladies, to everyone, who I am. So I’m happy now in this moment.”

If you use this transcription or any portion of it please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.

Andrade Looks Ahead To AEW PPV Return At Revolution 2026

Tonight (March 15) will see AEW kick off its pay-per-view offerings for 2026 with the seventh annual Revolution event, live from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

While Andrade El Idolo had hoped to be challenging MJF for the AEW World Championship at the event, that honor will instead go to “Hangman” Adam Page, who defeated the former WWE United States Champion at Grand Slam Australia to earn the right to challenge MJF.

Despite this however, Andrade will be in action at Revolution, as he takes on ROH World Champion Bandido in a one-on-one, non title match.

Following his comments about his WWE exit, Andrade expressed confidence in his ability to defeat Bandido at AEW Revolution.

He said:

“This Sunday versus Bandido. I know I can beat Bandido. I know I can beat (him). I know he’s a great wrestler, but he’s another fan. Another fan of Andrade.”

If you use this transcription or any portion of it please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.

Revolution 2026 will be Andrade’s first match at an AEW PPV card since he faced off with Miro (Rusev) at the inaugural AEW Worlds End event in December 2023.