{"id":142119,"date":"2025-09-18T07:00:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-18T11:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=142119"},"modified":"2025-09-17T07:47:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T11:47:58","slug":"returning-elite-can-andrade-and-aew-give-it-a-2nd-try","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2025\/09\/18\/returning-elite-can-andrade-and-aew-give-it-a-2nd-try\/","title":{"rendered":"Returning Elite: Can Andrade and AEW Give It a 2nd Try?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Andrade was recently <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/fannation\/wrestling\/wwe\/major-details-on-disciplinary-action-andrade-faced-from-wwe-exclusive\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">released by WWE due to a wellness policy violation<\/a>. The former United States Champion will have to wait for his non-compete clause to expire before he can step foot in a ring with any company. The big question, however, is whether the Mexican superstar will try to rejoin AEW.<\/p>\n<h2>Why Andrade Joining AEW Is a Good Idea<\/h2>\n<p>Andrade El Idolo left AEW more than a year ago. Time heals all wounds, and it\u2019s possible that Tony Khan would want to reconcile with Andrade to make things work. The AEW owner had a falling out with Charlotte Flair\u2019s former husband, but it didn\u2019t reach a point beyond repair. Andrade could return to AEW and entertain fans, joining various former WWE superstars already captivating audiences.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">For what it&#39;s worth, Andrade left AEW on very good terms.<\/p>\n<p>C2 is coming up again in November. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6qqsqA6yd0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/6qqsqA6yd0<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Drainmaker (@DrainBamager) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DrainBamager\/status\/1966943505810706494?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2>2025 Could Give Andrade a Fresh Start<\/h2>\n<p>Andrade didn\u2019t have a great first run with AEW, but 2025 could be a different story altogether. He didn\u2019t get many opportunities during his second run with WWE either, and Tony Khan could capitalize on this situation.<\/p>\n<p>The former WWE Speed Champion could be provided with creative freedom to enhance his character using his own skills. Andrade could form a stable in AEW, potentially consisting of Mexican superstars or masked wrestlers, to shake up the roster.<\/p>\n<h2>AEW Needs a Stir in Their Storylines<\/h2>\n<p>AEW currently has excellent storylines. Adding a performer who can not only fly between the ropes but also exert dominance would really shake things up. Andrade could use this opportunity to go after Cope and his friend or <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/tag\/the-hurt-syndicate\/\" target=\"_self\">The Hurt Syndicate<\/a>. He could even target the EVPs and make them victims of his viciousness. This would showcase a new side of Andrade that WWE never highlighted in his two runs.<\/p>\n<p>AEW didn\u2019t explore this angle during the former Andrade El Idolo and CMLL performer\u2019s first stint with the company. This approach could elevate him to great heights and establish him as a main-event player.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_142089\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-142089\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-142089 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/09\/NXT_Champ_Andrade_Cien_Almas__Zelina_Vega_TakeOver_NOLA_crop.jpg\" alt=\"Image of Andrade and Zelina Vega\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/09\/NXT_Champ_Andrade_Cien_Almas__Zelina_Vega_TakeOver_NOLA_crop.jpg 640w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2025\/09\/NXT_Champ_Andrade_Cien_Almas__Zelina_Vega_TakeOver_NOLA_crop-300x169.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-142089\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:NXT_Champ_Andrade_Cien_Almas_%26_Zelina_Vega_TakeOver_NOLA_crop.jpg#\/media\/File:NXT_Champ_Andrade_Cien_Almas_&amp;_Zelina_Vega_TakeOver_NOLA_crop.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WikiMedia Creative Commons<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Andrade Knows That AEW Has a Better Audience<\/h2>\n<p>Andrade could consider returning to CMLL, Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, or even Game Changer Wrestling, but AEW\u2019s audience reach surpasses these options. La Sombra could keep this in mind while making his choice. He might choose Tony Khan\u2019s company not only for a better payday (though others pay well too) but also for the visibility that All Elite Wrestling offers.<\/p>\n<p>Andrade has the skills, AEW has the platform, and the two coming together would be a match made in heaven. However, this is only possible if AEW extends a contract with a competitive salary and the promise of compelling storylines, and Andrade enthusiastically accepts.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">AEW COLLISION RATINGS \ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udea8<br \/>235,000 Viewership <br \/>0.05 P18-49 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wQ10MMD1w7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/wQ10MMD1w7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; PowerfulKing \ud83d\udcaa\ud83d\udc51 (@PowerfulKingJJ) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PowerfulKingJJ\/status\/1968029678134079527?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">September 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><i>Header photo \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/Category:Andrade_Cien_Almas#\/media\/File:Andrade_&amp;_Zelina_Vega_-_2019-08-18_-_01.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">WikiMedia Creative Commons<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Stay tuned to the\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/\" target=\"_self\"><em><u><i>Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0for more on Andrade and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><i>You can check out WWE programming on\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.netflix.com\/title\/81788927\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>Netflix<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(Raw),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usanetwork.com\/wwe-friday-night-smackdown\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>USA Network<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(SmackDown),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cwtv.com\/shows\/wwe-nxt\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>The CW<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(NXT),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/tubitv.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>Tubi<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(WWE Evolve),\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aetv.com\/wwe\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>A&amp;E<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(WWE Superstar Sunday \u2013 Rivals, WWE LFG, and Greatest Moments), and\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.peacocktv.com\/watch\/home\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>Peacock<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>\u00a0(WWE Main Event as well as archives and premium live event streaming). Follow WWE on social media to relive top moments and matches on\u00a0<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/wwe\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>YouTube<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>, and catch fast-paced action on X (<\/i><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/i\/events\/1773457579022155776?lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><em><u><i>WWE Speed<\/i><\/u><\/em><\/a><em><i>).<\/i><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Andrade was recently released by WWE due to a wellness policy violation. The former United States Champion will have to wait for his non-compete clause to expire before he can step foot in a ring with any company. The big question, however, is whether the Mexican superstar will try to rejoin AEW. Why Andrade Joining [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5578,"featured_media":142126,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4677,6,2192],"tags":[4658,7747],"class_list":["post-142119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aew","category-north-america","category-wrestling","tag-andrade","tag-andrade-el-idolo"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5578"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=142119"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142119\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":142127,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/142119\/revisions\/142127"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/142126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=142119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=142119"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=142119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}