MOMENTUM REGAIN: ANDRADE PUSHES PAST WWE FRUSTRATION, RETURNS TO AEW SCENE.
Andrade addresses his second WWE departure, clarifying that rumours of unreliability stemmed from him missing one call on an unscheduled day off. He is now focused on AEW.
Andrade's second stint with WWE didn't go as planned for him or his fans. His second release from the company earlier this year left many wondering what happened. Some thought he was fired because of disciplinary problems, while others thought WWE just didn't know what to do with him. Until now, the reasons were unclear.
In a recent interview, Andrade spoke directly about the rumours, denying reports that he was hard to reach or unreliable.
The story is a bit long. I am thankful to WWE. I don't have bad feelings about leaving. I appreciate my time there, even though it was only about a year and a half. I always made my dates. I always answered my phone. "Whoever started the rumour that I went on a trip and didn't answer my phone," Andrade said.
He explained that one particular incident likely started the rumours. He missed a call on an unscheduled day off, and it became a bigger deal than it was.
What really happened was this: I was on a trip on a day I wasn't booked. They called me, and I called back an hour or two later. So I didn't answer for an hour or two. The company called and messaged me, like, ‘Where are you? Are you okay?' Things like that. I didn't reply for an hour or two, and that’s it.
Yes, I was out of the country, but that's all. I told them, ‘I'm out of the country, which is why I didn't answer.' Time difference, internet, places with no signal, things like that. But it wasn't like, 'I never answered them' or anything like that, Andrade said.
In the same interview, Andrade shared that hehad almost worked with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. He said he was supposed to be in a big four-way match with top wrestlers from different groups, including the current “NXT” Champion, Oba Femi.
I was going to be at the first AAA show. They told me the match was going to be Vikingo, Fénix, and the NXT Champion—Oba Femi. It was him and me. It was going to be a four-way match at the first show in… I think Los Angeles, Andrade said.
Andrade said the match was presented as a way to help boost the other wrestlers. But the plans changed after he was in the “Money in the Bank” ladder match earlier this year.
They said that would be the match and asked if I wanted to do it. They said, ‘We want you because we know you can work with Fénix and Vikingo, so Vikingo doesn't look too small next to Oba Femi.' That was the plan, but things changed. I was in Money in the Bank, so they didn't put me in that show anymore, and I didn't go back to AAA, Andrade said.
Since leaving in September 2025, Andrade has returned to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and the independent scene, hoping to regain his momentum outside of WWE.
THE BACKSTAGE FAREWELL: WHY WWE STARS ARE SAYING GOODBYE TO LEGEND ASUKA
IYO SKY and Charlotte Flair lead tributes to Asuka as reports surface that the Empress of Tomorrow is stepping back from WWE.
Dave Meltzer from the Wrestling Observer reported that Asuka was saying her goodbyes backstage, and right now, people are calling her "semi-retired". What that actually means is still up in the air. Nobody really knows if Asuka plans to stick around WWE for occasional special matches or if she’ll head back to Japan and keep wrestling there.
“The story I heard is that she is semi-retired,” Meltzer explained, according to WrestlePurists. “I haven’t really gotten an exact definition of 'semi-retired', but I guess people were wishing her farewell backstage.”
He also said, “I don’t know if she’s wrestling in Japan; I don’t know if she’ll do things here and there, but semi-retired is what I was told.”
Asuka’s journey with WWE started in 2015, kicking off in NXT. She wasn’t just another face; she became the longest-reigning NXT Women’s Champion ever, holding that title for 510 days, and went on an unreal 914-day winning streak. Over the years, she racked up five WWE Women’s World Championships and five WWE Women’s Tag Team titles and picked up big accolades like Money in the Bank and the Royal Rumble.
WWE even ranked her as the fifth greatest female Superstar of all time, just behind Trish Stratus, Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, and Chyna, according to Fightful.
After WWE Backlash, IYO SKY posted an emotional message to Asuka on X (formerly Twitter) after defeating her at the event. She wrote about how much it meant to share the ring and learn from Asuka, calling it an “irreplaceable treasure", and thanked Asuka for everything. That post, along with the photos she shared, only fuelled more talk about Asuka’s possible retirement.
SKY, who’s become one of the most popular and respected wrestlers on the WWE roster over the last couple of years, isn’t alone in showing love for Asuka. After the backlash, stars like Bayley, Natalya, and Charlotte Flair also thanked Asuka for everything she’s done for the business. At 44, Asuka’s impact is impossible to ignore.
BEYOND GUNTHER: ANALYZING THE FOUR POWERHOUSES DESTINED TO LEAD WWE RAW NEXT YEAR
Discover the four WWE superstars, including Bron Breakker and Jacob Fatu, ready to lead Monday Night Raw into a post-Gunther era.
For the last few years, WWE Raw has pretty much belonged to Gunther. He dominated by sticking to his guns, hard work, no-nonsense wrestling, and that old-school fire. When his music hits, you can feel the tone shift. It’s hard to find that kind of presence. You don’t just swap him out and expect things to stay the same.
But that’s the thing about Raw. It never just sits still. The show keeps turning over stories' twists, rosters shuffle, and sooner or later, new faces get their shot. If there ever comes a time to find someone new to lead the red brand, there are four guys who look ready to take over. Each brings something different to the table, and you’d feel it right away.
Jacob Fatu could steal the spotlight.
Jacob Fatu’s the first name that jumps out. When he hits the ring, you notice. He just has that look, as he belongs in the big moments. The guy’s got a rare mix of speed and brute power; other heavyweights struggle to keep up.
Lately, he’s been right in the thick of things, getting involved with some of the top storylines on Raw and even rubbing shoulders with Roman Reigns. That’s not by accident; management doesn’t give you those spots unless they see something real. It means they’re thinking long-term with Fatu.
What makes him stand out is the energy. He’s this controlled, dangerous wrecking ball, but he knows when to push and when to hold back. If Raw needs a new anchor, someone to build around in title matches and feuds, Fatu slides into that role and makes it feel natural.
He’s not a finished product yet, and that’s a good thing. There’s room for him to grow, tell deeper stories, and really connect with the crowd. He’s got that spark fans latch onto because he never looks fake or forced.
Oba Femi brings something new.
Then there’s Oba Femi. For a new guy, he commands respect. From the jump, he’s looked like a real contender, strong in the ring, confident on the mic, and totally believable even against the veterans.
What sets Femi apart is his calm. A lot of new stars go for flash, but he’s got real presence. He can stand toe-to-toe with anyone in the locker room, which is huge if you’re thinking about someone fresh at the top.
Give him a real push and let him be his own kind of dominant. Don’t make him copy Gunther; let him be the force that shakes things up. If WWE puts energy into him, fans will feel it. They tend to back new stars who earn it.
Bron Breakker is the natural choice.
Number one, though? That’s Bron Breakker. He just checks all the boxes: famous family, athletic as hell, and already tested in big matches. If you want someone ready right now, it’s him.
He’s shown he can handle main event pressure. He hits hard, he moves quickly, and he’s comfortable being the centre of attention. When he’s on TV, the pace just picks up. People pay attention.
And people already know him. They’ve seen him grind through NXT and now main roster battles. That history helps. If he ends up carrying Raw after Gunther, it’ll feel right.
Replacing someone like Gunther won’t be easy. People will compare. Expectations will be sky-high. But Breakker has the charisma, the intensity, and the experience to pull it off.
In the end, Raw works best when it changes without losing its soul. Whether it’s Fatu’s wild energy, Femi’s fresh vibe, or Breakker’s complete package, these guys are ready for the spotlight.
When the time comes to pass the torch, Raw won’t shrink. It’ll just reinvent itself once again with these names leading the charge.
