Andrade has been announced for his first post-WWE match as he will take on a former WWE Champion on July 31st in Texas for Nación Lucha Libre.
The former NXT Champion will face the former Alberto Del Rio in what is Andrade’s first advertised post-WWE match. Andrade was released from his WWE contract after requesting to leave on the 21st of March, 2021. This came only weeks before a raft of talent including Samoa Joe and The IIconics were let go from the company.
Speaking recently to Super Luchas about the match Del Rio said:
“For the first time, they are going to see what people on the Internet have been asking for, for a long time – Andrade against Alberto del Rio. I don’t think we have ever seen a poster of such magnitude featuring two Mexican stars in Texas.”
Nación Lucha Libre who is promoting the event is the company set up by Del Rio and Chavo Guerrero Jr. The promotion has been re-launched following its closure in January 2020.
Andrade previously stated on social media that he is not subject to WWE’s standard 90-days non-compete clause. This in theory means he can wrestle whenever and wherever he likes although the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down many major shows and travel.
Start my new goals and we are in talks, no waiting for 90 days. A empezar mis nuevas metas y empezamos pláticas, nada de esperar 90 días! 🇯🇵🇨🇱🇲🇽🇺🇸🇬🇧
— “EL IDOLO” ANDRADE (@AndradeElIdolo) March 26, 2021
The headliners are not the only former WWE Superstars to be on the card for the July 31st event. Also confirmed to appear are Kalisto, Primo, and Epico.
Since leaving WWE himself for the second time in 2016, Alberto Del Rio has competed for IMPACT Wrestling. As well as that, he has also returned to MMA. He fought UFC legend Tito Ortiz in December 2019, losing in the first round via submission.
Del Rio is due to stand trial on May 3rd on aggravated kidnapping and sexual assault charges. These stem from an incident in October 2020.