Former AEW star Andrade made a surprise return to WWE during the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble!
The former Andrade El Idolo’s wrestling future has been uncertain ever since his exit from AEW following AEW World’s End, where he lost to Miro. His departure from the promotion has been described as “frustrating” in reports in which it was also noted that his real-life partner Charlotte Flair pushed for him to return to WWE after almost three years.
During the early stages of the Men’s Royal Rumble match, rumours of his impending WWE return were proven true when he entered the match as its fourth entrant. The former United States Champion lasted for over half the match and faced off against the likes of Santos Escobar, the Usos brothers and Grayson Waller.
Eventually, Andrade’s hopes of headlining WrestleMania were dashed at the hands of ‘Big’ Bronson Reed after he ran at the Australian powerhouse, who proceeded to back-body drop him over the top rope which led him to fall straight to the ringside area, eliminating him from the match.
ANDRADE!@AndradeElIdolo is back and competing in the Men's #RoyalRumble Match! pic.twitter.com/MmL2jJHARv
— WWE (@WWE) January 28, 2024
Andrade Wasn’t The Only Former Star To Return At The Royal Rumble
The Women’s Royal Rumble earlier in the night featured various returns to the company. Most notably, Naomi (formerly TNA star Trinity) returned to WWE for the first time in almost two years and Liv Morgan returned from injury for the first time since suffering an injury back in July.
They weren’t the only notable entries in that match though: TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace made her shock WWE debut as the match’s fifth entrant while former AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill competed inside a WWE ring for the very first time when she entered at #28.
Andrade’s final match in AEW was against Miro, who recently provided an injury update.