Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza (born November 3, 1989) is a Mexicanprofessional wrestler. As of January 2024[update], he is signed toWWE, where he performs on theSmackDownbrand under the ring nameAndrade (formerlyAndrade "Cien"Almas). He is also known for his appearances in Mexico forConsejo Mundial de Lucha Libre and in Japan forNew Japan Pro-Wrestling under thering nameLa Sombra (Spanish for "The Shadow") and for the American promotionAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) under the ring nameAndrade El Idolo (also stylizedAndrade "El Ídolo").
After close to a decade with CMLL, Andrade joined WWE in 2015. He initially wrestled for itsNXT brand under the ring name Andrade "Cien" Almas, winning theNXT Championship. In April 2018, he joined WWE's main roster where his ring name was shorted to simply "Andrade". Andrade held theWWE United States Championship for several months in 2019-2020. He departed WWE in March 2021, debuting in AEW that July. Andrade departed AEW in December 2023 and returned to WWE the following month at theRoyal Rumble.
Early life
Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza[6] was born inGómez Palacio, Durango,[5] on November 3, 1989.[7] He is the son of Jose Andrade Salas, who wrestles as Brillante. He became part of the third generation of the Andrade family to compete inlucha libre. His grandfather, José Andrade, wrestled under the name "El Moro", while his uncles wrestle or wrestled under the names Diamante/Moro III (Sergio Andrade), Zafiro/Pentagoncito (real name unrevealed), Kevin (Juan Andrade),Espanto Jr./Pentagón (Jesús Andrade), and Espiritu Magico (Juan Andrade), and his younger cousins works in CMLL as the currentEspanto Jr.,Brillante Jr. andLady Shadow as of 2023.[8][a]
Professional wrestling career
Early career (2003–2007)
With his father, uncles and grandfather being involved in running a locallucha libre promotion and school in Durango, Andrade began training for a professional career from an early age, initially by playing around with his father and uncles, but later began to train seriously for a career in the wrestling ring. He made his professional wrestling debut on October 3, 2003, a month before his 14th birthday, but only after his father signed a waiver for the local boxing and wrestling commission to issue him a license.[10] He began working under the ring name Brillante Jr. in honor of his father.[10]
Working for his family's wrestling promotion Andrade used the name "Brillante Jr." from 2003 through early 2007. During that period of time, he got involved in a storyline rivalry with his uncle who wrestled as "Zafiro", leading to his first everLucha de Apuestas, or bet match. By defeating Zafiro he won his first headline match, forcing Zafiro to have all his hair shaved off after the match perlucha libre traditions.[11] He later won anotherLucha de Apuestas match, forcing the masked wrestler Camorra to unmask in the middle of the ring and reveal his real name.[b][11] During this time period Andrade also competed as theenmascarado (masked) characters "Guerrero Azteca" ("Aztec Warrior") and "Rey Azteca" ("Aztec King") on occasion.[11]
Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
Técnico (2007–2014)
The long-time team of La Sombra (left) andVolador Jr. (right) during a match
In 2007 he signed withConsejo Mundial de Lucha Libre ("World Wrestling Council"; CMLL), and began training under CMLL head trainerEl Satánico. He made his CMLL in-ring debut on February 27, working as "Brillante" just like his father had.[12] In June CMLL changed his name, rechristening him La Sombra ("The Shadow"). CMLL previously had other people work under the name "La Sombra" in the 1980s and 1990s; CMLL did not promote the most recent La Sombra as having any relation to the previous incarnations at all, although the relationship was later subtly acknowledged when La Sombra began wrestling in a black and silver version of his father's mask.[12]
La Sombra quickly moved up the ranks of CMLL in the months after his debut. The first sign of CMLL putting their faith in La Sombra came when the promoters him teamed up with CMLL's maingood guy (known as atécnico in Spanish)Místico for their annualTorneo Gran Alternativa ("Great Alternative Tournament") where a rookie and a veteran team up. La Sombra and Místico defeatedHeavy Metal andSuper Nova in the first round,Dr. Wagner Jr. and Mascara Purpura in the semi-final and the team ofÚltimo Guerrero andEuforia in the finals to win the 2007Tornero Gran Alternativa.[13] The following month, La Sombra teamed up withEl Sagrado andVolador Jr. to defeatMr. Águila,Damián 666, andHalloween, collectively known asLos Perros del Mal ("The Bad Dogs"), to win theMexican National Trios Championship.[12] On November 27, 2007, La Sombra added theNWA World Welterweight Championship to his collection when he defeatedHajime Ohara to win the title; his victory made him the youngest wrestler to hold the championship, winning it at the age of 18.[12] Throughout 2008 La Sombra was busy defending both championships on several occasions. On January 16, 2009, La Sombra became a triple champion as he teamed up with Volador Jr. to defeatAverno andMephisto, winning theCMLL World Tag Team Championship.[14] La Sombra's time as a triple champion lasted just over two weeks, until February 3, whenSangre Azteca,Black Warrior, andDragón Rojo Jr., collectively known asPoder Mexica ("Mexican Power") defeated La Sombra, Volador, and Sagrado to win the Mexican National Trios Championship. On May 27, 2009, La Sombra lost the NWA World Welterweight Championship to Mephisto.[15]
In early 2010 La Sombra began astoryline feud withEl Felino. The feud began on February 2, 2010, during a singles match between El Felino and La Sombra; when tied at one fall each,Puma King, El Felino's son, showed up wearing an El Felino outfit and mask, distracting both the referee and La Sombra long enough for El Felino to land a low blow on La Sombra to win the match.[16] The two met in aLighting match (a one fall, 10 minute time limit match) on the February 19CMLL Super Viernes show. Once again Puma King tried to help his uncle, but this time the referee disqualified El Felino for the transgression.[17] La Sombra and El Felino continued to feud, both interfering in a match between Volador Jr. and Místico. The storyline led to Místico, Volador Jr., La Sombra and El Felino being booked in a four-wayLucha de Apuestas match as the main event of the 20102010 Homenaje a Dos Leyendas ("Homage to Two Legends") show. La Sombra was the first man pinned atDos Leyendas and El Felino was the second, forcing the two to compete with their masks on the line. La Sombra pinned El Felino, forcing him to unmask and reveal his real name.[18]
On May 14, 2010, La Sombra teamed up withMáscara Dorada andLa Máscara to defeat the then CMLL World Trios ChampionsLa Ola Amarilla ("The Yellow Wave";Hiroshi Tanahashi,Okumura, andTaichi) in a non-title match to earn a shot at the Championship the following week. One week later the trio defeatedOla Amarilla again, ending the Japanese trios title reign after just two weeks.[19] On July 12, 2010, at thePromociones Gutiérrez 1st Anniversary Show La Sombra participated in a match where 10 men put their mask on the line in a match that featured fivepareja incredibles ("Incredible Pairs") teams, with the losing team being forced to wrestle each other with their mask on the line. His partner in the match was Histeria, facing off against the teams ofAtlantis andOlímpico, Místico andEl Oriental,El Alebrije and Volador Jr., Último Guerrero and Averno.[20] La Sombra and Histeria were the first team to escape the match and retain their masks.[21] While La Sombra had traveled to Japan to participate in the2010 Best of the Super Juniors (BOSJ) tournament Volador Jr. had begun showingrudo signs, but when La Sombra returned the two teamed back up without any signs of problems between the two
La Sombra posing at an outdoor event in 2010
Sombra and Volador Jr. lost the CMLL World Tag Team Championship to theLos Invasores team of Mr. Águila andHéctor Garza onJuly 23, 2010, again without any signs of dissension between the two.[22] During a later show Volador Jr. finally turned fullyrudo when he attacked La Sombra and tore La Sombra's mask off, provoking a feud between the two longtime partners.[23] La Sombra entered the2010 Universal Championship tournament and qualified for the finals when he won "Block A" on theJuly 30, 2010, Super Viernes show by defeating Mephisto,El Texano Jr., and Último Guerrero.[24] In the finalsJyushin Thunder Liger, with help from Okumura at ringside, defeated La Sombra to claim the tournament trophy.[25] The unresolved issues between La Sombra and Volador Jr., as well as the storyline between La Sombra and Jyushin Thunder Liger, led to all three wrestlers being booked in the main event of theCMLL 77th Anniversary Show, a 14-mansteel cageLucha de Apuestas, mask vs. mask match.[26] The match came down to Olímpico and La Sombra after the other 12 men had escaped the cage; La Sombra pinned Olímpico to force him to unmask.[27]
On February 15, 2013, La Sombra defeated Volador Jr. to win the2013 Reyes del Aire tournament.[35][36] Following their clash over theReyes del Aire trophy Volador Jr. and La Sombra were teamed up for the 2013Torneo Nacional de Parejas Increibles tournament, the same tournament that in 2010 was the impetus for Volador Jr.'srudo turn. The rivals put their issues aside for the tournament, defeating the teams ofGuerrero Maya Jr. and Negro Casas, La Máscara and Averno, andShocker andMr. Niebla to qualify for the finals of the tournament.[37][38] On March 15, at the 2013Homenaje a Dos Leyendas show, Volador Jr. and La Sombra defeated Altantis and Último Guerrero to win theTorneo Nacional de Parejas Increibles.[39] The truce between La Sombra and Volador Jr. that allowed them to win the tag team tournament only lasted until the next time the two rivals were in the same ring. On February 17, 2013, La Sombra teamed up with Marco Corleone andMístico II against Volador Jr., Euforia and Último Guerrero. During the match Volador Jr. attacked both La Sombra and the referee, causing a disqualification before leaving the ring and his confused partners behind.[40] On September 13 atCMLL's 80th Anniversary Show, La Sombra and Volador Jr. defeated Atlantis and Último Guerrero in aRelevos Suicidas match and thus advanced to a Mask vs. MaskLucha de Apuestas against each other. In the end, La Sombra was victorious, forcing his rival to unmask.[41][42]
The main event of the 80th Anniversary show was not well received by the fans as they had been expecting a match between Atlantis and Último Guerrero, loudly chanting "fraud" during the main event.[42] After the match the fans rallied behind Volador Jr., giving him the crowd support that made CMLL return him to thetécnico side. Conversely the fans began to boo and heckle La Sombra, the supposedtécnico, leading to a change in how La Sombra was booked and presented by CMLL. La Sombra formed a partnership withRush and effectively began working as arudo, though the two refused to acknowledge themselves as such, instead referring to themselves astécnicos diferentes ("a different kind of good guy").[43][44] On June 6, La Sombra defeated Volador Jr. with help from Rush and La Máscara to win the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship in a match, where La Sombra's Historic Middleweight Championship was also on the line.[45][46] The trio of Sombra, Rush and La Máscara was eventually namedLos Ingobernables ("The Ungovernables").[47][48] On August 1 atEl Juicio Final, La Sombra lost the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship back to Volador Jr.[49] Later in August, La Sombra made it to the finals of the2014 Universal Championship tournament, before losing to Último Guerrero.[50] On May 1, 2015, La Sombra won the2015Reyes del Aire tournament ("Kings of the Air").[51]
On July 21, La Sombra and Rush were involved in an incident in Guadalajara, where they attacked fans who were throwing beers at them during a match.[52] The following day,Jalisco's Boxing and Wrestling Commission suspended the two from wrestling in the state for three months.[53] While the commission only suspended them from wrestling in Jalisco, CMLL decided to pull both La Sombra and Rush from theirSuper Viernes show three days later. CMLL did not offer an official explanation for the change.[54] Over the summer of 2015Los Ingobernables started to wrestle againsttecnico teams instead of generally facingrudo teams as they had been up to that point. By August 2015,Los Ingobernables found themselves facing off against Atlantis on multiple occasions, often with La Sombra going out of his way to attack Atlantis, tearing Atlantis' mask apart during matches to show his disdain for the veterantecnico. On August 31, La Sombra lost the NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship to Último Guerrero, ending his two and a half year reign.[55] In the main event of theCMLL 82nd Anniversary Show on September 18, 2015, La Sombra, the winner of the main event of the 80th Anniversary, put his mask on the line against the winner of the main event of the 81st Anniversary Show, Atlantis.[56] Atlantis won theLucha de Apuestas match and, as a result, La Sombra was forced to unmask and reveal his real name.[6] In early November, La Sombra and Rush began having issues with each other, which led to a match between the two on November 13, where Rush was victorious. After the match, which turned out to be La Sombra's final with CMLL,[57] the two founding members ofLos Ingobernables made peace with each other.[58]
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2010–2015)
In 2010 La Sombra was selected to be the CMLL representative forNew Japan Pro-Wrestling's (NJPW)Best of the Super Juniors XVII (BOSJ) tournament that took place from May 30 to June 16, 2010, in Japan. The tournament marked the first time that La Sombra toured Japan.[59] On May 30, 2010, La Sombra wrestled his first match in the tournament, defeatingTiger Mask.[60] On the final day of the tournament he defeated the junior heavyweight wrestling innovator, Jyushin Thunder Liger. With just three wins in the tournament and a total of six points, he did not advance to the semi-finals.[61] In November 2010 La Sombra and Máscara Dorada took part in New Japan's five-day-long Super J Tag League. After winning two out of their four matches in the group stage, La Sombra and Dorada finished third in their block, missing the finals of the tournament.[62]
La Sombra and Dorada returned to New Japan on January 4, 2011, atWrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome, where they defeated Jyushin Thunder Liger and Héctor Garza in a tag team match, when Sombra pinned Liger. As a result of his victory he was granted a match for Liger'sCMLL World Middleweight Championship in the process.[63][64] La Sombra received his match for the championship on January 22, 2011, atFantastica Mania 2011, but lost to Liger.[65] La Sombra returned to NJPW in August 2011 to take part in the2011 G1 Climax. La Sombra started the tournament by picking up wins overWataru Inoue and fellow CMLL workerStrong Man, but then went on to lose his remaining seven matches in the tournament, finishing eighth out of the ten wrestlers in his block.[66][67][68] La Sombra returned to Japan in January 2012 to take part in theFantastica Mania 2012 events. In the main event of the second night of the tour, La Sombra successfully defended the NWA World Historic Welterweight Championship against Volador Jr.[69] La Sombra returned to New Japan in April 2012 to take part in the2012 New Japan Cup. After defeatingYoshi-Hashi in his first round match, he was eliminated from the tournament in the second round byHirooki Goto.[70][71]
In January 2013, La Sombra took part in the three-dayFantastica Mania 2013 event. During the second night of the tour, La Sombra unsuccessfully challenged Nakamura for theIWGP Intercontinental Championship.[72] During the third and final night, La Sombra defeated Dragón Rojo Jr. to win the NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship.[73][74] On May 31, 2013, La Sombra defeated Nakamura in a rematch in Mexico City to win the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, becoming the first Mexican to hold that championship.[75][76][77] On July 20, he lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship back to Nakamura during a tour of Japan.[78] From November 23 to December 6, La Sombra took part in the2013 World Tag League, where he andTetsuya Naito finished with a record of three wins and three losses, failing to advance to the semifinals.[79][80] In January 2014, La Sombra took part in the five-dayFantastica Mania 2014 tour.[81] La Sombra returned to New Japan in November to take part in the2014 World Tag League, teaming with Tetsuya Naito once more.[82] The team finished in the middle of their block with four wins and three losses.[83] In January 2015, La Sombra returned to Japan to take part in theFantastica Mania 2015 tour, during which he feuded with Máscara Dorada, culminating in a singles match between the two on January 19, where La Sombra was victorious.[84]
On the July 19 episode ofNXT, Almas appeared with an unidentified woman and attackedCezar Bononi before threatening No Way Jose, though Almas ran away when Jose ran back into the ring.[96] After being absent from in-ring competition, Almas returned being accompanied by the woman who turned out to be his newmanagerZelina Vega, defeating Jose on the August 9 episode ofNXT and pacting a match atNXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III againstJohnny Gargano on August 19,[97] which Almas won.[98] Almas returned on the October 11 episode ofNXT, where he once again defeated Gargano.[99] On the November 1 episode ofNXT, Almas signed a contract where he pacted a match againstDrew McIntyre for the NXT Championship, before attacking him later that night.[100] On November 18 atNXT TakeOver: WarGames, Almas defeated McIntyre to become the new NXT Champion.[101]
On January 27, 2018, atNXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, Almas successfully defended the title against Johnny Gargano.[102] Almas's match with Gargano at TakeOver: Philadelphia was highly acclaimed, earning five stars fromWrestling Observer Newsletter journalistDave Meltzer, making it the first match in NXT history to receive a five-star rating.[103] On January 28, at theRoyal Rumble, Almas made his first main roster appearance entering as a surprise entrant at number 7 during theRoyal Rumble match, in which he eliminatedKofi Kingston before being eliminated byRandy Orton.[104] On February 3 during anNXT house show, Almas teamed with Zelina Vega in her first match as part of the company, in which they were defeated by Johnny Gargano andCandice LeRae.[105] On February 21 episode ofNXT, Almas retained the title against Gargano after interference fromTommaso Ciampa.[106] AtNXT TakeOver: New Orleans on April 7, Almas lost the NXT Championship toAleister Black, ending his reign at 140 days.[107] On April 18 episode ofNXT, Almas accompanied Zelina Vega during her first televised match against Candice LeRae, in which she was defeated and this turned out to be Almas' and Vega's last appearances on NXT.[108]
Various feuds (2018–2019)
Almas, accompanied by Zelina Vega, prior to a match in July 2019
On April 17, 2018, Almas, alongside Zelina Vega, was drafted toSmackDownbrand as part of theSuperstar Shake–up.[109] A month later, in his in-ring debut, Almas defeated alocal wrestler on the May 15 episode ofSmackDown Live.[110][111] Shortly after his debut, Almas was placed in his firstfeud withSin Cara, who tried to convince him to "reconnect" again only for Almas to attack him.[112][113][114] Almas defeated Sin Cara on July 10 episode ofSmackDown Live[115] and again five days later in a rematch at theExtreme Rules Kickoff Show to end their feud.[116] On July 17 episode ofSmackDown Live, Almas suffered his first loss as part of main roster by then–WWE ChampionAJ Styles in a non–title match.[117] Throughout August, Almas and Vega started a feud withRusev andLana whom they would defeat in various singles matches.[118][119][120] This led to amixed tag team match between the two teams on the Kickoff Show forSummerSlam on August 19, where Almas and Vega were victorious.[121] Two days later onSmackDown Live, Almas and Vega lost to Rusev and Lana in a rematch, ending their feud in the process.[122][123] Throughout the rest of the year, Almas continued to perform in various singles[124][125][126] and tag team matches, most of which he would go on to lose.[127][128][129][130][131]
United States Champion and teaming with Angel Garza (2019–2021)
As part of the2019 draft, Andrade and Vega were drafted to Raw.[146] On December 26, during a house show atMadison Square Garden, Andrade defeated Rey Mysterio to win the United States Championship for the first time.[147] Andrade successfully retained the title against Mysterio on the January 6, 2020[148] and January 20 episodes ofRaw.[149] At theRoyal Rumble on January 26, Andrade defeatedHumberto Carrillo to retain his championship.[150] The next day, Andrade was suspended for 30 days, for violating WWE's Wellness Policy.[151] To write him off television, an angle took place onRaw, where Carrillo delivered a Hammerlock DDT on Andrade onto cement.[152]
With Andrade absent over the next month, Zelina Vega brought up her new associate,Angel Garza, who is Carrillo's cousin, and the two then feuded.[153] Andrade returned atSuper ShowDown, competing in thegauntlet match for the Tuwaiq Trophy, but was eliminated by R-Truth.[154][155] AtElimination Chamber, Andrade retained his title against Carrillo once again.[156] Andrade was scheduled to team with Garza to faceThe Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) for theRaw Tag Team Championship atWrestleMania 36, but Andrade was removed from that match due to an injury and was replaced byAustin Theory.[157] On the April 13 episode ofRaw, Andrade, Garza and Theory attackedAkira Tozawa, creating a new faction.[158] However, this would be short-lived, as Theory was kicked out of the faction on the May 18 episode ofRaw.[159] On the May 25 episode ofRaw, Andrade lost the United States Championship to Apollo Crews, ending his reign at 151 days.[160][161] He failed to regain the title from Crews atBacklash, after failed interference from Garza.[162]
Andrade began a tag team with Garza, including a title match against The Street Profits atSummerSlam andClash of Champions, where they were unsuccessful.[163] After these failures, Zelina Vega left the group and on the October 12 episode ofRaw, Andrade lost to Garza before allowing him and Vega to be attacked byThe Fiend andAlexa Bliss, thus officially splitting up the team.[164] This would wind up being his final WWE match as Andrade disappeared from WWE programming soon after while Vega was released in November.[165][166][167] In March 2021, Andrade requested his release from WWE and was initially denied, but WWE eventually granted his release on March 21.[168][169][170]
Andrade made his debut forAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the June 4, 2021, episode ofDynamite, under the new ring name "Andrade El Idolo". He was managed by Jose the assistant. He allied himself withVickie Guerrero, who would serve as his manager.[174] At theRoad Rager event on July 7, Andrade made his in-ring debut for AEW, defeatingMatt Sydal.[175] Later that month, he would end his affiliation with Vickie Guerrero, and introduced her nephewChavo Guerrero as his new "consultant".[176] In August, Andrade began a feud withPac,[177] leading to a match on the September 10 episode ofRampage, which Andrade won; after the match he would attack Chavo, ending their partnership.[178] On the October 6 episode ofDynamite, Andrade competed in aCasino Ladder Match for an opportunity at theAEW World Championship, but the match was won byAdam Page.[179] At the end of the year, Andrade began a feud withCody Rhodes, which ended in Andrade being defeated by Rhodes in an Atlanta street fight on the December 1 episode ofDynamite.[180]
On May 29, 2022, during the promotion'sDouble or Nothing pay-per-view, Andrade introduced a debutingRush as his tag team partner as part ofLa Faccion Ingobernable (LFI).[181] The two then began a feud with theLucha Brothers (Penta Oscuro andRey Fénix), which ended in a tornado tag team match on the August 10 episode ofDynamite, where Andrade and Rush were victorious.[182] On October 5, it was reported Andrade was sent home after a legitimate backstage altercation withSammy Guevara.[183] In late 2022, it was revealed Andrade suffered a torn pectoral and would be out of action.[184]
During his hiatus, Andrade quietly left LFI. Andrade, now ababyface for the first time since 2016, returned from injury on the debut episode ofAEW Collision on June 17, 2023, where he defeatedBuddy Matthews.[185] This would begin a feud between Andrade andHouse of Black (Malakai Black,Brody King, Buddy Matthews, andJulia Hart) after the group stole the Andrade's entrance mask. Andrade would regain the mask after defeating Matthews again in a ladder match on the July 19 edition ofCollision.[186] On November 22, Andrade was announced as the participant in the inauguralContinental Classic, where he was placed in the Blue block.[187] Andrade finished with 9 points, but would fail to qualify for the semi-finals after losing a tiebreaker toEddie Kingston. During this time, Andrade started being managed byCJ and later began a feud withMiro, who was CJ's legitimate husband. Andrade would later lose his final AEW match to Miro atWorlds End on December 30 with CJ costing him the match.[188] Worlds End would feature Andrade's last appearance in AEW programming; as his contract would expire at the end of 2023, which was confirmed byTony Khan in the post-show media scrum.[189]
During theWWE Speed tapings on June 7, 2024 Andrade defeatedRicochet to win theWWE Speed Championship, retaining the title until he lost it on the November 15 tapings ofSpeed againstDragon Lee (his title win and title lost were aired on which aired on June 14 and November 20).[196][197][198] On the June 21 episode of SmackDown, Andrade defeatedKevin Owens andGrayson Waller to qualify for the Men'sMoney in the Bank ladder match atMoney in the Bank. At the event on July 6, Andrade failed to win the match afterDrew McIntyre grabbed the briefcase.[199] Ever since Money in the Bank, Andrade began a feud withCarmelo Hayes.[200] On the following week, Hayes successfully defeated Andrade after suffering two losses against him.[201] By the end of September, Andrade and Hayes have won three matches each against each other.[202] On the October 25 episode ofSmackDown, Andrade and Hayes'game seven match, which was also for a United States Championship match opportunity, ended in a no-contest afterspecial guest refereeLA Knight attacked both men, ending theirbest-of-seven series match at three wins, three losses and one draw each. After the match, SmackDown general managerNick Aldis announced that Knight will defend his title against Andrade and Hayes in a triple threat match atCrown Jewel where Knight retained his title.[203][204][205]
Throughout his career, Andrade has portrayed two main characters, La Sombra and Andrade "Cien" Almas, with both of those characters having phases of being heroic and villainous.
From 2007 through 2014, Andrade portrayed the masked character "La Sombra" as a heroic, young, high-flying wrestler who used a lot oflucha libre moves, especially dives off the top rope and occasionally out of the ring to the floor.[208] At the time, he often used asplit-leggedcorkscrewsenton dive off the top rope to finish his matches.[208]
When he transitioned from a face to a heel character in 2014, he developed a more individual personality, acting cockier and more laid back in the ring, acting unimpressed with his opponents by adopting a more arroganttranquilo attitude that became synonymous with all theLos Ingobernables members. As a heel, he began using theSombra Driver (sometimes referred to as theShadow Driver), aSchoolboy suplex, that illustrated his transition from high-flyer to a more power-based wrestler.[209]
Initially, the Andrade "Cien" Almas character was portrayed as a face, although without much depth to the character. His heel turn in 2016 saw a return of the arroganttranquilo character he had used with success while working as "La Sombra", now bolstered by the presence of managerZelina Vega, who helped him win matches by unfair means.[97] After his heel turn, Andrade often used arunning double knee smash against an opponent sitting in the corner of the ring, or sometimes on an opponent leaning against the ring post on the outside of the ring.[101][102][210] After his heel turn, he began using ahammerlock DDT (which he namedLa Sombra and, later,The Message) as a finisher.[101] As of his debut atAEW Road Rager, Andrade would enter the ring wearing a white suit with black stripes and a black skeleton mask, resemblingDC Comics supervillainBlack Mask.[211]
In February 2019, Andrade began dating fellow professional wrestlerCharlotte Flair.[213][214] The couple got engaged on January 1, 2020, and they got married on May 27, 2022, in Mexico.[215] In June 2024, Flair filed for divorce and was finalized that October.[216] In February 2025, Andrade revealed that he had a son.[217]
^InLucha Libre it is a tradition to not reveal the birth name of masked wrestlers who have never been unmasked, newspapers do not report on or speculate about the name of a masked wrestler. The tradition is not upheld outside of Mexico so if masked wrestlers were to sign a contract with a non-Mexican company they will on occasion reveal the real name of a masked wrestler.[9]
^abNot the same Camorra that has worked for CMLL for years.
^Saalbach, Axel."Andrade El Idolo".wrestlingdata.com. RetrievedOctober 3, 2023.
^Madigan, Dan (2007). "A family affair".Mondo Lucha A Go-Go: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperCollins Publisher. pp. 128–132.ISBN978-0-06-085583-3.
^abMadigan, Dan (2007). "What's in a name".Mondo Lucha A Go-Go: the bizarre & honorable world of wild Mexican wrestling. HarperCollins Publisher. pp. 209–211.ISBN978-0-06-085583-3.
^abcdeEnciclopedia staff (2007). "Enciclopedia de las Mascaras".Brillante Jr. (in Spanish).Mexico City, Mexico. p. 21. Tomo I.
^abArturo Rosas Plata (January 17, 2009)."La Sombra fue el héroe".Ovaciones (in Spanish). Mexico,D.F.: Editorial Ovaciones, S. A. de C.V. p. 21. Número 21470 Año LXII. Archived fromthe original on February 2, 2009. RetrievedJuly 9, 2009.
^Kreikenbohm, Philip (November 27, 2007)."NWA World Welterweight Championship". Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database. RetrievedDecember 22, 2020.
,Cagematch.net,Wrestlingdata.com,Internet Wrestling Database
