Former United States Champion Andrade is no longer part of WWE. His removal from the roster was neither mutual nor tied to budget cuts; instead, the decision came unilaterally from the company, signaling a disciplinary conclusion to his latest tenure.
The Immediate Cause: Wellness Policy Violation
The core reason for Andrade’s sudden release stems from a confirmed violation of WWE’s wellness policy. According to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, Andrade faced at least one infraction during his recent run. While the exact circumstances, whether a failed test, refusal to test, or another breach, remain undisclosed, the violation triggered an unpaid suspension.
This explains Andrade’s mysterious absence from SmackDown tapings and his quiet removal from internal rosters. Matters escalated last month when, sources indicate, Andrade was asked to leave a taping and was escorted out of the building. The dismissal derailed creative plans, particularly his developing tag team partnership with Rey Fenix.
(Note: An additional report from Bodyslam’s Cory Hays suggested WWE had difficulty contacting Andrade for several weeks, with the SmackDown incident allegedly occurring in mid-August. However, this detail has not been independently verified.)
A History of Disciplinary Issues
This is not the first time Andrade has clashed with disciplinary measures:
-
January 2020 (WWE): Andrade served a 30-day suspension for a wellness policy violation.
-
2021–2023 (AEW): After leaving WWE, Andrade joined AEW but again faced consequences following a backstage altercation with Sammy Guevara.
When Andrade returned to WWE at the 2024 Royal Rumble, it was framed as a fresh start. His last match took place at SummerSlam in a Six-Pack TLC bout, but the recent violation abruptly cut short that comeback story.
WWE’s New Era of Silence
Since the TKO merger in 2023, WWE has adopted a different approach to disciplinary matters. Unlike in the past, the company no longer publicly discloses wellness policy infractions. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to determine how widespread such issues may be within the roster.
As of publication, WWE has not formally commented on the details of Andrade’s release, reflecting this new corporate stance.
Andrade’s Next Chapter
For a performer of Andrade’s caliber, a release unrelated to budgetary measures underscores WWE’s strict adherence to its wellness program. However, this latest setback compounds a career already marked by multiple disciplinary controversies across major promotions.
The question now is whether Andrade can overcome this pattern or whether his trajectory will remain defined as much by off-screen issues as by his undeniable in-ring talent.
