The circumstances surrounding Andrade’s abrupt departure from WWE continue to develop, and it now appears the move was a genuine surprise to many people within the company. This wasn’t just a well-kept secret from the fans; even fellow talent were left in the dark.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, several WWE superstars interviewed had no idea Andrade was leaving or that his exit had already been finalized. This shows how quietly the situation was handled backstage.
The report also dispels several theories about his departure. It confirms Andrade still had over 18 months left on his WWE contract, meaning his exit was not tied to an expiring deal. Sources described it as an isolated incident and not part of any larger roster cuts. Furthermore, speculation about a potential injury was inaccurate, as he was never listed on the company’s internal injury report despite his recent absence.
His departure had a direct impact on creative plans. Following his final WWE match in the tag team ladder match at SummerSlam, Andrade was scheduled to team with Rey Fenix to face the Wyatt Sicks at Clash in Paris. Once it became clear he was leaving, those plans were dropped.
This backstage news provides context for Andrade’s absence during last night’s SmackDown. His recent tag team partner, Rey Fenix, challenged Sami Zayn for the United States Championship, but Andrade was neither seen nor mentioned. The exit was made official earlier today when his profile was moved to the alumni section of WWE’s website.
With his second WWE run officially over, attention now turns to his next move. Sources within AEW have indicated that the door remains open for a potential return, making him one of the most notable free agents in the industry.