Below are a couple of top WWE & AEW news stories of the day.
• Andrade is among the wrestlers who have transitioned between WWE and AEW. In March 2021, Andrade requested his release from WWE despite achieving considerable success, including a stint as the NXT Champion, before eventually joining All Elite Wrestling.
Hints of Andrade’s discontent with AEW surfaced prior to his loss to Miro at the AEW World End pay-per-view event in December. Speculation arose about his return to WWE, which materialized at the Royal Rumble in January.
Dave Meltzer, in a Twitter response, indicated that AEW made a competitive offer to retain Andrade, dispelling the notion that AEW let him depart without attempting to re-sign him:
“Andrade was given a good offer to stay. He decided to leave.”
Andrade’s decision to return to WWE was influenced by his wife, Charlotte Flair, who is a prominent figure in the company.
Despite his return to WWE, Andrade has yet to compete in a match since the Royal Rumble, although he has made occasional television appearances.
WATCH: Charlotte Flair’s Complete Uncensored NipSlip From WrestleMania 38:
• Shawn Spears made his return to WWE, now appearing under the NXT banner.
The former AEW star surprised fans by rejoining WWE on the latest episode of NXT, following weeks of anticipation surrounding the individual featured in the “Three Faces” vignette. Spears made an impactful return by assaulting Ridge Holland with a chair.
Spears has a history with WWE, having been associated with the company intermittently since 2006. He initially signed a developmental deal and had brief stints on WWE’s ECW brand in 2008 and 2009. After leaving WWE in 2019, he joined AEW before wrapping up his tenure there last year.
According to Fightful’s Corey Brennan, Spears will continue to use the Spears moniker rather than returning as Tye Dillinger. His comeback took many by surprise, with one insider describing it as a “complete shock”.
Internal documents did not initially list Spears for his role in Ridge Holland’s promo, indicating that his return was kept under wraps until the last moment. Shawn Michaels reportedly stepped in to rehearse with Holland earlier in the day before Spears’ return was officially unveiled.
Spears remained hidden backstage until his dramatic re-emergence. Following his return, he received a warm reception from his colleagues backstage.
