We’re only a few months into the one-year non-compete between Andrade and WWE. There have been a lot of twists and turns for the former husband of Charlotte Flair. Andrade is not allowed to perform in the United States, with the exception of the WWE-affiliated WWC in Puerto Rico. While Andrade is allowed to wrestle in Mexico, the former La Sombra walked out of a recent show. Now, Andrade returns to New Japan as La Sombra for Wrestle Kingdom 20. Find out the storyline twist with Andrade and AEW talent as La Sombra returns to New Japan.
Andrade Returns to New Japan for Wrestle Kingdom 20
Wrestle Kingdom enters its second decade next year, and this milestone event is set to be a memorable one. This event will mark Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final match. The Japanese legend will face AEW’s Kazuchika Okada for one last time.
In addition to Tanahashi’s retirement, Andrade returns to New Japan Pro Wrestling in the Tokyo Dome for Wrestle Kingdom 20. Not only will he make his long-awaited return to the Land of the Rising Sun, but Andrade will don the La Sombra mask.
The Luchador will reprise the role that helped him nab the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. La Sombra defeated Shinsuke Nakamura for the Title in 2013, just before The King of Strong Style would embark to the States and sign with WWE. With Shinsuke’s WWE career allegedly winding up, maybe he can run back with La Sombra in the next couple of years!
On January 4, 2026, Andrade returns to New Japan as La Sombra. However, the returning hero’s onscreen role doesn’t fit with the storyline he was telling in his brief AEW return. With New Japan and CMLL working with AEW, this storyline snafu could change Andrade’s eventual return to Tony Khan’s company.
Andrade to Partner with United Empire in NJPW Return
Less than one month after WWE fired him, Andrade returned to AEW. However, less than 24 hours later, he was gone from the company. That’s because WWE sent AEW a cease-and-desist. Andrade was under a one-year non-compete after being fired by the TKO-owned company.
When Tony Khan cut ties with Andrade, AEW’s Booker was adamant that the door would be open for Andrade in the future. In the meantime, Andrade could continue to integrate himself with CMLL and New Japan, who are strategic partners with AEW.
With his New Japan return, Andrade has the opportunity to do just that. However, his current booking contradicts what American viewers saw him do the last time he was in AEW.
Andrade will return to New Japan as La Sombra to team with The United Empire to take on The Bullet Club War Dogs in a Special 10-Man Match.
Currently, the lineup will see The Bullet Club War Dogs represented by David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney, Hiromu Takahashi, and Shingo Takagi. With the inclusion of The Death Riders’ Gabe Kidd, this means Andrade will wrestle an AEW talent in Japan while under a WWE non-compete.
La Sombra’s team is not currently fleshed out. He will represent The United Empire along with Callum Newman, HENARE, Great-O-Khan, and one other wrestler to be determined.
There are rumors that the spot might be given to Templario, who is a United Empire member with CMLL ties. Therefore, his inclusion can help further Andrade’s eventual return to CMLL.
That said, Andrade partnering with The United Empire can complicate the original plans for his AEW return. Let’s take a closer look at the booking flaw surrounding La Sombra’s NJPW return.
Andrade’s New Japan Return Contradicts AEW Return
When Andrade returned to AEW after his WWE firing, he attacked Kenny Omega. In addition, the former WWE United States Champion sided with Don Callis.
It appeared that Andrade El Idolo had become a member of The Don Callis Family. However, AEW was forced to cut ties with him after WWE issued a cease-and-desist. So, we can’t confirm that was the direction.
Since Andrade’s departure, tensions have been growing between The Don Callis Family and United Empire. The United Empire was originally founded by Will Ospreay.
Will Ospreay joined AEW as a member of The Don Callis Family and United Empire, along with Kyle Fletcher. However, Fletcher and Family would turn on The United Empire leader. Will Ospreay is currently on the injured list. AEW recently hired his fiancée. So, it looks like Will Ospreay might be Stateside more often in 2026.
Since Kyle Fletcher turned on Will Ospreay, The Don Callis Family has openly mocked the New Japan faction. In turn, HENARE and Great-O-Khan have called out Kyle Fletcher on New Japan shows.
With tensions growing between The Don Callis Family and United Empire, La Sombra siding with the latter seems odd. After all, Andrade was last seen on television on the same side as Don Callis. Now, he’s being partnered with their enemies.
While these two entities haven’t clashed yet, there’s been a lot of talk about an AEW x ROH x CMLL x NJPW supershow in Arena Mexico. This event is expected to happen in early 2026 and would be the perfect time for The Don Callis Family and United Empire to finally collide.