On September 13, 2025, Andrade El Idolo — the former Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza — was abruptly released by WWE Corporation, one of the most baffling roster moves of the year. Just months after rejecting a lucrative offer from All Elite Wrestling (AEW) at the end of 2023 and returning to WWE during the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, Andrade was let go without warning. His departure wasn’t just unexpected — it felt personal. The man who once held the WWE United States Championship, the WWE Speed Championship, and the NXT Championship had been quietly building momentum again, especially after his surprise return. Now, he’s gone — and so are 63 others.
The 2025 Purge: A Winter That Never Ended
WWE’s 2025 roster reductions didn’t wait for WrestleMania. They started in January, when Duke Hudson became the first name off the list. What followed was a quiet, relentless bleed: Akam, Blair Davenport, Cedric Alexander, Paul Ellering, Rezar, Sonya Deville, Giovanni Vinci. Then came Karl Anderson, known as "Machine Gun" Anderson, released while recovering from shoulder surgery after his final appearance in an NXT dark match last October. WhatCulture.com called it "leaving a sour taste in the mouth." Andrade’s release wasn’t an outlier — it was part of a pattern.Even Eddy Thorpe, who had just defeated rising star Trick Williams in a brutal Strap Match at Vengeance Day in February, vanished in early May. No explanation. No farewell. Just a roster spot opened up — and another name vanished from the website.
Championships, Contracts, and Confusion
The WWE Speed Championship lineage tells part of the story: Dragon Lee → El Grande Americano → Jasper Troy. Andrade held it — and now, it’s passed on. Meanwhile, the World Heavyweight Championship changed hands six times in 2025 alone: Gunther → Jey Uso → Gunther → CM Punk → Seth Rollins → [Vacated] → CM Punk again. On November 3, Punk and Uso teamed up against Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed on Monday Night Raw — a match that aired just weeks before Andrade’s release. The contrast was jarring: top-tier stars battling for gold while mid-card legends were let go without ceremony.Andrade’s exit wasn’t isolated to the main roster. WWE’s developmental system, including WWE EVOLVE and WWE ID titles, saw its own turnover. Jackson Drake, Kali Armstrong, Cappuccino Jones, and others filled vacant spots — but no one from the main roster seemed safe.
Who’s Behind the Curtain?
WWE Corporation, headquartered at 1241 East Main Street in Stamford, Connecticut, operates under CEO Nick Khan and Chairman Vince McMahon. Their strategy in 2025 has been clear: cut costs, streamline brands, and prioritize stars who draw ratings on streaming platforms — ESPN App, Peacock, Netflix, USA Network, and CW Network. But the math doesn’t add up. Andrade wasn’t a salary drain. He was a reliable performer, a former champion with international appeal, and a fan favorite. Why cut him now?Some insiders suggest it’s about branding. WWE’s 2025 narrative leans heavily into nostalgia — John Cena made his final Raw appearance on November 17, 2025, at Madison Square Garden. Others point to the looming Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30, 2025, at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. With so many names already cut, perhaps WWE is clearing space for new faces — or, more likely, for a new direction.
What’s Next for Andrade?
The twist? He’s not sitting idle. Rumors are swirling that Andrade is in talks with Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) — the same promotion where former WWE star Karrion Kross reemerged after his own release. Kross, now teaming with Scarlett Bordeaux and Shotzi Blackheart, defeated Matt Cardona at House of Glory’s "With Glory Comes Pride" event in October. If Andrade follows a similar path, he won’t disappear — he’ll reinvent. And that’s the real story here: in today’s wrestling world, being released doesn’t mean the end. It just means the next chapter begins elsewhere.Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Andrade’s release so surprising?
Andrade had just returned to WWE in 2024 after turning down AEW’s contract offer — a move that signaled long-term commitment. He held multiple championships, had strong fan support, and was still active in mid-card storylines. His release came without injury, controversy, or warning, making it feel arbitrary. Industry sources say he was one of the most consistent performers on the roster, which is why fans and analysts alike called it one of 2025’s most baffling decisions.
How many wrestlers were released by WWE in 2025?
According to The SmackDown Hotel’s comprehensive list published November 21, 2025, WWE released 64 superstars in 2025 — the highest number since 2019. This includes not just main roster talent like Andrade and Karl Anderson, but developmental stars and veteran managers. The releases began in January, far earlier than the traditional post-WrestleMania window, signaling a shift in WWE’s roster management strategy.
What’s the significance of the 2025 roster cuts for WWE’s future?
The 2025 purge reflects WWE’s pivot toward streaming-first content, where only top-tier stars who drive subscriptions on Peacock, Netflix, and ESPN+ are prioritized. Mid-card talent with strong in-ring skills but lower social media traction are being phased out. This could mean a leaner, more focused product — but also risks alienating longtime fans who value depth and legacy. The absence of Andrade, Anderson, and others may be felt in future tag team divisions and NXT call-ups.
Where could Andrade go next?
Rumors point to Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), where former WWE stars like Karrion Kross have found creative freedom. Andrade’s technical style and charisma fit GCW’s high-energy, fan-driven environment. He could also land in Mexico’s CMLL or Japan’s NJPW, where his lucha libre roots are appreciated. Unlike WWE, these promotions often offer more creative control — and possibly better pay for veterans with his pedigree.
Did WWE comment on the releases?
No. WWE has remained silent on all 2025 releases, following its long-standing policy of not publicly discussing personnel decisions. The only official notices were roster updates on WWE.com, where names simply disappeared. This lack of transparency has frustrated fans and media alike, especially when releases involve respected veterans like Andrade and Anderson.
How does this affect WWE’s upcoming Survivor Series: WarGames?
With so many names cut, WWE’s WarGames teams in Vancouver are likely to be built around established stars like CM Punk, Jey Uso, and Seth Rollins — leaving little room for new breakout talent. The absence of mid-carders like Andrade and Thorpe may force WWE to rely more on recycled storylines, potentially weakening the event’s depth. Fans are already asking: where are the fresh faces? The roster cuts may have solved short-term costs, but could hurt long-term storytelling.
