WWE has officially released Andrade annoucning the release after WWE Fastlane ended on March 21 2021.
Originally reported by WrestleInc and reported by multiple sources, Andrade apparently requested his release from WWE before WWE RAW on March 8th 2021. It was also apparently denied.
“If you don’t like where you are, move around, you’re not a tree!“
Whilst this was going on, he was still listed as a RAW Superstar on the WWE website, and was trending on social media after changing his Twitter handle last week. He can now be found at @AndradeElIdolo instead of @AndradeCienWWE.
Andrade was last seen on Monday Night RAW and WWE Programming on December 14th 2020, in a losing effort against Angel Garza. He took some time off to undergo a minor procedure after the Draft and was never officially drafted to RAW or SmackDown.
A third-generation professional wrestler, Andrade debuted just before his 14th birthday under the name Brillante Jr. in reference to his father. Outside of WWE he is perhaps best known for his eight-year tenure working for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre under the name La Sombra.
He comes from a long line of family wrestlers in Mexico. His father Jose Andrade Salas wrestled under the name Brillante in Lucha Libre, Mexico’s professional wrestling that dates back to the early 20th century and involves the wearing of masks. Andrade’s grandfather José Andrade, wrestled as “El Moro.” He had several other relatives, including uncles who also wrestled in Lucha Libre.
He was also a huge commodity for NJPW and has gone by many monikers over the years
Ring names
- Brilante, Jr.
- Guerrero Azteca
- Rey Azteca (II)
- La Sombra
- Manny Andrade
Which one will he be next? Will he reignite an old persona? I for one am excited to find out!