Andrade El Idolo Explains Why He Left AEW In 2023

Andrade El Idolo left AEW in 2023, returning to WWE, where Charlotte Flair, his wife at the time, worked.

Andrade would leave WWE in September 2025, a year after he and Charlotte had divorced. He returned to AEW shortly after his WWE departure.

Speaking to Renee Paquette on Close Up, Andrade reflected on bouncing between companies.

“Personally, it was good. Professionally, it was a little sad because my contract had expired at that moment, and I needed to make a decision. I needed to go (to WWE) for my personal life because I was married at that moment, not my professional life. I picked my personal life. I went to Tony and thanked him for the opportunity. I hoped to see him in the future, but I needed to move on for my personal life and myself, for a better relationship. I always had a relationship with AEW. Now, on this second opportunity, Tony gave me this opportunity to come back to AEW. I said, ‘Yes.’ Now is the moment to show who I am. I need to pay it back to Tony with my work in the ring. This is why I want to defend the title. I want to help people in the locker room, and I want to stay close with the boys. I am here to help the company. They want the best for the company, and for me to represent this company well. This is how I need to pay Tony for this second chance,” he said.

Andrade is set to defend the AEW National Championship against Tommaso Ciampa at AEW WrestleDream.

Fans can find the lineup for the show by clicking here.

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