Dave Meltzer discussed Andrade El Idolo’s recent return to AEW on Wrestling Observer Radio, where he criticized the decision to bring him back and questioned Andrade’s long-term commitment to the company.
Specifically, Meltzer claimed that Andrade “is coming off of a run that wasn’t good in WWE” and “was fired over disciplinary reasons,” adding that he “had lots of problems in AEW over disciplinary reasons” during his previous stint there from 2021 to 2023.
Meltzer argued that AEW already has “enough talent” and doesn’t need to rehire wrestlers like Andrade, whom he described as “a very good wrestler” but part of a pattern of “former WWE talents who weren’t sufficiently pushed in WWE” that AEW struggles to utilize effectively.
He cited examples of other WWE releases (like Aleister Black, Rusev/Miro, and William Regal) who underperformed in AEW after being fired, questioning whether any such talent has truly succeeded there.
Dave went further by saying that, based on what “people who know Andrade” had told him, Andrade would “always think of Tony Khan as secondary to WWE, no matter what,” warning that re-signing him could lead to trouble down the line.
This appears to reference Andrade’s 2023 departure from AEW (when his contract expired) to return to WWE, implying he viewed AEW as a lesser option and potentially burned bridges in the process – claims Andrade directly refuted in his tweet by stating he personally thanked Khan “man to man” upon leaving and accusing Meltzer of spreading unproven negativity that “keeps killing the business.”
You can read Andrade’s tweet below:
“@davemeltzerWON You talk too much sh*t without proof, and Sir, I’ll only tell you one thing: when my contract with AEW ended, I personally went man to man to thank MR. TONY KHAN for the opportunity to be in AEW, and that’s all I’ll tell you.
If I wanted to talk more, I would show you that you’re wrong about many things. But you keep killing the business! Yo le deseo lo mejor!!”
Also Read: Real Reason AEW Brought Back Andrade
