8 WWE Superstars released this year who will go on to be stars elsewhere

#7. Andrade

Andrade with Zelina Vega

Andrade is a former NXT Champion and United States Champion but never really reached his full potential in WWE. Despite putting on some incredible matches, his character just seemed to get lost in the shuffle at times.

Andrade was paired with Zelina Vega for most of his time in WWE but once Vega was released last November, his character really started to suffer. They were going to split either way but once it started, he really wasn’t used again.

He initially asked for his release but it was denied. He sat in Limbo a bit longer until it was then granted in March.

Before working for WWE, Andrade worked under the name La Sombra and worked for promotions all over the world. Many would say he is one of the best wrestlers they have ever been in the ring with.

Much like his wife Charlotte Flair, he has an amazing athletic ability that would make him a huge draw for any promotions.

He recently appeared in AAA Wrestling and appears to be going back to his roots in Mexico to start his rise to the top of the wrestling world. He issued a challenge to current AAA World Champion Kenny Omega asking for a chance at the title. Omega has accepted the challenge and the match will be happening soon.

This could mean that we might see Andrade also appear on AEW since Omega is their champion as well. It would only help both promotions to have a cross-promotional feud between both stars.

He accepted the challenge! Mexico see you in #TriplemaniaXXIX August 14. El acepto el gran reto de #ElIdolo Mexico 🇲🇽 listo para TRIPLEMANIA XXIX 14 de agosto en la Arena ciudad de México @luchalibreaaa #AndradeVsOmega Main Event? Lucha Estrella? 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 pic.twitter.com/sLOrr68pYv

— “EL IDOLO” ANDRADE (@AndradeElIdolo) May 19, 2021

Given that, AEW is regularly doing cross-promotional work with Impact and NJPW so this could be a huge opportunity for them. Andrade is a well-known name all over the world so even if it was just for a match or two; it should be something they consider.

With this being Andrade’s first big match post-WWE, it shows that both AEW and AAA already have faith in him.

Even if he doesn’t go to AEW right away, this run with AAA is only the beginning for Andrade and big things in his future.