Andrade El Idolo says goodbye to AEW before likely WWE return

Andrade El Idolo doesn’t seem to be harboring any ill will toward AEW even as he’s set to wrap up his time there.

Following his loss to Miro at Worlds End, AEW President Khan confirmed that Andrade El Idolo‘s contract would not be renewed at the end of 2023. This marked the end of a nearly three-year run with the company for the Mexican superstar, which included long absences due to injury and struggles to establish himself on a crowded roster, even with the addition of Collision.

Previously, Fightful Select (subscription required) reported that El Idolo was planning to leave AEW. He informed the company that he no longer wished to stay and intended to depart, with his exit described as “less than pleasant” and a significant disagreement having taken place.

Nonetheless, El Idolo confirmed his departure in a farewell message to AEW on Tuesday. He thanked Khan, the talent, and other personnel for everything he was able to accomplish with the company.

I want to thank you for this time that I belonged to the company @aew and above all to Tony khan I also want to say goodbye to all the talent, security people, cameramen, referees and everyone who works in the company for being part of my time in AEW. kenny, young bucks, tazz, Shiavone, Aubrey, Jerry, Hobbs, hook, Kingston, Ricky, Orange, thunder, jack Perry, Austin, Colten, Sonjay and many more that I can name, also how to forget all the Mexicans (todo el relajo) I enjoyed sharing the ring with STING, PAC, Darby, Garcia, Jay and many more. I would have loved to face MOX, Page, Hobbs, Ricky, Dante, Cage, Dustin. Thank you AEW AND Thank you to all the fans for your support always. I wish you the best always!!!.

The same Fightful Select report noted that El Idolo is expected to immediately return to WWE, where he previously worked as Andrade “Cien” Almas from 2015-21. He held the NXT Championship and WWE United States Championship once each before requesting his release.

El Idolo’s run with AEW has ended. It seems his next step is a WWE return, so fans may see him back on television imminently.