Andrade shows off impressive physique ahead of major WWE SmackDown match
Andrade returned to WWE just under nine months ago and recently worked his 30th match. A three-time champion in the company, Andrade is headed into a match that is key to his future, and he has revealed an impressive transformation of his physique.
El Idolo left AEW at the end of last year, but it took a behind-the-scenes roller-coaster ride to get him back to World Wrestling Entertainment. He became the second-ever WWE Speed Champion in June and is currently chasing LA Knight's United States Championship while feuding with Carmelo Hayes. This Friday's SmackDown will feature their Best of Seven Series Finale, with Knight as the special guest referee. This will be the tie-breaker as the series is at 3-3.
Andrade has been training hard for Friday's finale with Hayes. The 34-year-old took to Instagram with training footage to show off his impressive physique and transformation. He captioned the video with a two-word suggestion and attached Andre Williams' "Challenge Yourself" single to the post for inspiration.
"Challenge yourself!! [fist emoji x 3]," wrote Andrade with the following video.
Andrade retained over Pete Dunne in his latest WWE Speed Championship defense on August 30. He also retained over Baron Corbin and Xavier Woods. A tournament is underway to determine Andre's next challenger in early December.
Andrade set for big WWE SmackDown match
World Wrestling Entertainment will host another double SmackDown taping at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NYC on Friday. This week's episode will air live, while the Crown Jewel go-home show will be taped to air on November 1.
The 3-3 tie-breaker for the Best of Seven Series between Andrade and Carmelo Hayes will air tomorrow night with LA Knight as the special referee. It's rumored this will lead to Knight defending the United States Championship at the Crown Jewel PLE, perhaps in a Triple Threat.
Below is the updated SmackDown lineup:
- Gunther and Cody Rhodes will come face-to-face before Crown Jewel
- Best of Seven Series Finale: Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes VII (Special Referee: LA Knight)
- #1 Contender's Match: DIY vs. The Motor City Machine Guns (winners earn future match with WWE Tag Team Champions Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa)
Roman Reigns is advertised to appear by the WWE and arena websites but has not been officially announced. The Original Tribal Chief himself also confirmed the appearance. Shinsuke Nakamura is rumored to make his return to TV for the first time since the RAW loss to Sheamus on April 22.