AEW star Andrade has opened up about the circumstances surrounding his second departure from WWE, revealing how his divorce from Charlotte Flair, frustrations with creative direction, and discussions about a potential move to AAA contributed to his decision to leave the company.
Speaking with Chris Jericho, Andrade explained that his return to WWE had been partly motivated by the opportunity to work alongside his then-wife, Charlotte Flair. However, following their divorce and the public attention surrounding their separation, he began feeling increasingly uncomfortable with his situation in the company.
Andrade also expressed disappointment with the creative direction he was receiving, claiming that WWE had failed to provide him with a consistent storyline or a clear plan for his character. “So my divorce [from Charlotte Flair] happened, and it was all over the media. I was back in WWE to work with my ex-wife, and now my divorce happened. So I feel a little weird, like I’m not feeling calm or comfortable, you know? I don’t feel comfortable.
And the story they give me as Andrade here and there, they don’t give me specific, good story direction. So later, they wanted to send me to AAA. Like, ‘Hey, Andrade, hey, it’s a good opportunity for AAA.’”
While Andrade emphasized that he respects AAA and other wrestling promotions, he questioned the reasoning behind potentially sending him back to Mexico after he had already established himself as a major star in the country.
The former WWE United States Champion explained that his primary motivation for returning to WWE was to expand his international profile, particularly in markets where the company’s global television and streaming distribution could introduce him to new audiences. “I moved here to work with WWE. I know AAA, I respct all the companies. I know WWE is worldwide and AAA is just in Mexico. People in Mexico know me, so why would I work in AAA to get more people to know me? I want people to know me around the world, like in Australia, Arabia, Europe, and many other countries. WWE has the ability to be seen on TV or Netflix or whatever, you know?”
Andrade went on to explain that returning to Mexico did not align with his professional goals, particularly when he believed he could continue working with established international stars in AEW. “But going back to Mexico, for me, it’s like, well, I prefer working in AEW and enjoy it. I can ask Tony [Khan].”
According to Andrade, the combination of personal circumstances and professional frustrations eventually led to conversations with WWE about his future. He made it clear that he had no desire to return to Mexico simply to rebuild a reputation he believed was already firmly established there. “I made my name in Mexico. So why would I go back to Mexico just for that? When I’m working here in WWE with the top guys, I don’t want to go back. It’s little things like that. I just don’t feel good. We’re talking, and maybe I don’t feel comfortable here. And we’re talking, and they give me my release.”
Andrade’s comments provide additional insight into why his second WWE run came to an end, with the wrestler pointing to a combination of his changing personal circumstances, dissatisfaction with creative plans, and differing views over his career direction.
Now back in AEW, Andrade appears focused on pursuing the opportunities he believes are better suited to his ambitions, having made it clear that international exposure and meaningful creative direction remain important priorities for his wrestling career.
