Hello, wrestler fans! If you love following the WWE and admire world-class, Manuel Alfonso Andrade is a name you’ll recognize instantly. carrying on a rich family legacy while establishing himself as a formidable competitor across multiple wrestling promotions worldwide. Born Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza, this Mexican wrestling superstar has captivated audiences with his high-flying abilities, dramatic flair, and undeniable charisma throughout his career spanning over two decades.
Manuel Alfonso Andrade’s Biography
| Aspect | Information |
| Real Name | Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza |
| Nicknames | El Idolo, Cien, La Sombra, El Idolo the Real Latino Man |
| Date of Birth | November 3, 1989 |
| Age | 35 years old |
| College/Education | N/A |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | Mexican |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Turned Professional | 2003 (at age 13) |
| Net Worth | $2-3 million |
| Salary | Approximately $3 million per year |
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Ex-Spouse | Charlotte Flair |
| Children | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | @andradealmas |
Early Career
Andrade’s journey in professional wrestling began remarkably early, making his debut just one month before turning fourteen years old under the ring name Brillante Jr., honoring his father Jose Andrade Salas who wrestled as Brillante. Growing up in Gómez Palacio, Durango, Mexico, within a family completely immersed in the Lucha Libre tradition, wrestling wasn’t just a career choice but a birthright.
His grandfather Jose Andrade Salas wrestled as El Moro, and his uncles also competed in the industry, creating an environment where professional wrestling was simply part of daily life. This early exposure allowed young Andrade to absorb the technical mastery and showmanship of Lucha Libre from childhood, setting the foundation for an extraordinary career that would eventually span multiple continents and promotions.
Professional Career
Andrade’s professional wrestling career has been nothing short of extraordinary, marked by his technical excellence and consistent performances across multiple prestigious organizations. After years honing his craft in Mexican wrestling, Andrade signed with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) in 2007 under the ring name La Sombra (The Shadow), where he rapidly established himself as one of the promotion’s most exciting performers.
During his eight-year tenure with CMLL, he accumulated multiple championships and became a core member of the legendary Los Ingobernables stable. In 2015, he ventured internationally, signing with WWE in a developmental contract before making his main roster debut in 2018. His first WWE run yielded the NXT Championship in 2017 and the United States Championship in 2019.
Following his 2021 release, Andrade performed for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide before joining All Elite Wrestling in June 2021 as Andrade El Idolo. He returned to WWE at the 2024 Royal Rumble but was later released again in September 2025, returning to AEW thereafter, continuing his journey as one of wrestling’s most sought-after talents.
Manuel Alfonso Andrade’s Net Worth Details
As of 2025, Andrade’s estimated net worth stands between $2 million and $3 million, accumulated through years of professional wrestling contracts, championship earnings, merchandise sales, and appearances across multiple promotions. During his final WWE run, Andrade was earning approximately $3 million annually on his contract before his September 2025 release. His wealth reflects not only his in-ring performance but also his marketability as a top-tier international wrestling talent. Various sources have reported different estimates, with some placing his net worth closer to $5 million when considering additional revenue streams from independent bookings, merchandise, and past earnings from CMLL and NJPW.
Fight Purses
| Event/Match | Opponent(s) | Championship | Purse/Earnings | Date |
| NXT TakeOver: War Games | Multiple opponents (NXT Championship tournament) | NXT Championship | Reported earnings unknown | November 18, 2017 |
| WWE Live at Madison Square Garden | Rey Mysterio | United States Championship | House show earnings | December 26, 2019 |
| WrestleMania XL | Rey Mysterio & Dominik Mysterio (tag team) | Non-title | WrestleMania appearance bonus | April 2024 |
| WWE developmental shows | Various | Non-title | Developmental contract salary | 2016-2018 |
| CMLL PPV events | Multiple opponents | CMLL Championship opportunities | CMLL earnings structure | 2007-2015 |
| AEW Dynamite appearances | Various wrestlers | Non-title | AEW contract terms | 2021-2024 |
Endorsements
- Instagram influencer partnerships and sponsored content posts
- Professional wrestling merchandise featuring his likeness and branding
- Merchandise sales through wrestling retailers and his official website
- Social media partnerships leveraging his 846,000+ Instagram following
- Team merchandise and promotional wear sales through AEW and WWE official stores
- Appearance bookings and convention circuit earnings through wrestling fan events
Career Records
| Opponent | Promotion | Notable Match Type | Year | Outcome |
| Aleister Black | NXT | NXT Championship Match | 2018 | Loss (Black won the title) |
| Johnny Gargano | NXT | NXT Championship Match | 2018 | Victory (retained) |
| Rey Mysterio | WWE | United States Championship Match | 2019 | Victory (won the title) |
| Atlantis | CMLL | Lucha de Apuestas (Mask vs Mask) | 2015 | Loss (Lost his mask) |
| Averno | CMLL | Universal Championship Match | 2011 | Victory (won the title) |
| El Felino | CMLL | Lucha de Apuestas (Mask vs Mask) | Multiple | Victory (won mask) |
| Volador Jr. | CMLL | Tag Team Championship | 2009 | Victory (with Volador Jr.) |
| Kenny Omega | AAA | Mega Championship Match | 2021 | Loss |
| Shinsuke Nakamura | NJPW | IWGP Intercontinental Championship | 2013 | Victory (won the title) |
| Último Guerrero | CMLL | Universal Championship Tournament | 2014 | Loss (Finals) |
FAQs
1. What is Andrade’s real name and where is he from?
Andrade’s real name is Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza, and he was born in Gómez Palacio, Durango, Mexico on November 3, 1989. He comes from a third-generation wrestling family with his father, grandfather, and uncles all working as professional wrestlers in Mexico’s Lucha Libre circuit. His birthplace and family heritage remain central to his professional wrestling identity and continue to influence his in-ring character and presentation.
2. How did Andrade’s early life in a wrestling family influence his career?
Growing up immersed in professional wrestling through his family created an ideal foundation for Andrade’s own career. With his father working as Brillante and his grandfather as El Moro, young Andrade was exposed to wrestling’s technical aspects and traditions from childhood. He trained under family guidance and made his professional debut at thirteen, giving him an unusually early start that allowed him to accumulate experience and skill over decades of competition before reaching adulthood.
3. What was Andrade’s most significant championship accomplishment?
While Andrade has won championships across multiple promotions, his CMLL Universal Championship victory in 2011 represents one of his most prestigious accomplishments. This achievement highlighted his status as a top Mexican wrestler during the peak of his Lucha Libre career. However, his United States Championship win at Madison Square Garden in 2019 also stands as a significant career moment, proving his ability to compete and win at WWE’s highest level against world-class competition.
4. How long did Andrade remain married to Charlotte Flair?
Andrade and Charlotte Flair married on May 27, 2022, in Torreón, Mexico, after meeting in 2019 and getting engaged on New Year’s Eve 2019. The couple remained married for approximately two and a half years before Charlotte filed for divorce on June 18, 2024. Their divorce was officially finalized on October 10, 2024. Despite the separation, both have spoken respectfully about their time together in interviews, acknowledging the positive impact their relationship had on both their personal lives and professional perspectives.
5. What is Andrade’s current wrestling promotion and status in 2025?
As of late 2025, Andrade’s status remains complicated due to contractual disputes. He was released from WWE in September 2025, reportedly due to wellness policy violations. He subsequently returned to AEW in October 2025, aligning with The Don Callis Family. However, WWE’s non-compete clause has created legal complications, though it’s limited to the United States, allowing him to work internationally in Mexico and other countries outside the U.S. territory.
6. How many championships has Andrade won throughout his career?
Andrade has captured numerous championships across multiple promotions, including one-time reigns as NXT Champion, United States Champion, CMLL Universal Champion, CMLL World Tag Team Champion, CMLL World Trios Champion, Mexican National Trios Champion, NWA World Welterweight Champion, NWA World Historic Middleweight Champion, NWA World Historic Welterweight Champion, and IWGP Intercontinental Champion. His total championship count exceeds ten major titles across various organizations, demonstrating his consistent success and main event caliber throughout his career.
7. What makes Andrade’s in-ring style distinctive compared to other wrestlers?
Andrade’s wrestling style combines the technical mastery and high-flying abilities of Mexican Lucha Libre with the athleticism and storytelling of American professional wrestling. His signature moves include the Hammerlock DDT, Dragonrana, Springboard Dragonrana, and the Rope Hung Triangle Armbar. His psychology in matches focuses on technical excellence, dramatic near-falls, and compelling storytelling that appeals to audiences worldwide, blending multiple wrestling traditions into a unique presentation that showcases his versatility.
8. When did Andrade make his professional wrestling debut and how young was he?
Andrade made his professional wrestling debut in 2003 under the ring name Brillante Jr., just one month before his fourteenth birthday in November 1989. This remarkably early debut, facilitated by his family’s deep involvement in professional wrestling, allowed him to accumulate experience over more than two decades while still in his mid-thirties. His early start remains uncommon in professional wrestling and contributed significantly to his exceptional technical skill level and ring psychology.
9. What was Andrade’s role in Los Ingobernables and why was it important?
Andrade was a founding member of Los Ingobernables (The Ungovernable Ones), one of professional wrestling’s most prestigious and enduring stables originating in CMLL. The group, known for their rebellious character work and technical excellence, helped establish Andrade as a major figure in Mexican wrestling during the late 2000s and early 2010s. His association with Los Ingobernables elevated his credibility and helped establish the stable as a legendary faction in professional wrestling history, influencing similar factions that emerged in other promotions.
10. What are Andrade’s most notable matches against internationally recognized wrestlers?
Andrade’s most notable international matches include his multiple encounters with Rey Mysterio, particularly their United States Championship matches in 2019-2020 at WWE events. His matches against Aleister Black for the NXT Championship showcased his abilities against tough technical competition. His NJPW matches against Shinsuke Nakamura for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship represented significant international competition. Additionally, his matches against Johnny Gargano during his NXT Championship reign and his contests against various CMLL and AAA main event performers throughout his career demonstrate his ability to work with top-tier competition across different wrestling styles and promotions.