WWE Scraps Plans for Rey Fenix on SmackDown
WWE shelves original Andrade program for Rey Fenix ahead of his SmackDown debut. Initial segment filmed but never aired.
The blue brand’s newest acquisition is ready to make waves this Friday, but Rey Fenix almost started his WWE run on a completely different path. Creative plans for the internationally acclaimed star appear to have changed drastically just days before his scheduled television debut, with evidence pointing to a scrapped program that would have immediately positioned him against one of SmackDown’s established stars.
The backstage news outlet Backstage Pass reports that WWE had filmed a segment during the March 21 SmackDown in Bologna where Nick Aldis informed Andrade that new talent would join the roster and work with him first. This segment never made it to air. Adding fuel to the speculation, Joey Votes from WrestleVotes shared on X:
Fenix wasn’t supposed to appear last week, so I don’t know what’s going to happen. Undoubtedly, that would indicate to me that, at the very least, WWE had plans for Andrade vs. Rey Fenix. You’ll have to see if that happens or they’ll decide to have a storyline with another SmackDown wrestler.
The timing of this change raises eyebrows considering Fenix was officially revealed on last week’s SmackDown from London, days after the scrapped segment was filmed. Whatever prompted this creative shift happened quickly, as the original direction would have created an immediate connection between two performers known for their exceptional in-ring skills and similar lucha-influenced styles.
With Fenix set to step through the ropes this Friday, fans are left guessing who WWE will position as his first opponent. The abandoned Andrade program might still materialize down the line, but this behind-the-scenes shuffle demonstrates how quickly plans can change even for significant roster additions.
