WWE NXT: Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas, A Prospering Prodigy

Now WWE NXT Champion, Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas has become the brand’s revered kingpin. However, things haven’t always been so great for ‘El Idolo’.

The current NXT Champion Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas is just 28 years old and yet he’s been wrestling for well over a decade. He’s a third-generation wrestler: handsome, talented and charismatic. On paper, he was an ideal acquisition for WWE and better yet, a perfect fit for the fledgling NXT brand. However, things didn’t start quite as smoothly as you would’ve hoped for the dynamic Mexican superstar. Due to a variety of reasons better suited to another article for another day, Lucha libre has yet to capture the hardcore American wrestling fan like other international styles have and frankly, that showed in Almas’ early days.

As La Sombra, Andrade had certainly established himself as a major star but that didn’t cross over to too much anticipation amongst the general NXT audience, especially in comparison to the brand’s other marquee signings at that time. Nonetheless, over six months after officially signing his deal, Almas was finally set to make his television debut. Some neat vignettes preceded the occasion, too, but unfortunately, as well as the other aspects I’ve already touched on, ‘Cien’ was very much a victim of circumstance and timing.

It was TakeOver: The End and the rowdy Full Sail crowd in attendance couldn’t have been happier to see Almas’ opponent, Tye Dillinger on one of the promotion’s marquee events. With the beloved “10” chants behind him, Dillinger was the crowd’s focus and on night one, Almas’ shine had already been taken before he’d even put a foot wrong. Don’t get me wrong, ‘El Idolo’ had yet to fully find himself as a personality and character. But this start was rough regardless, and that trend would continue a few months later.

After a flat period without much progress, Almas’ next TakeOver opponent would emerge in Bobby Roode. The recently christened ‘Glorious’ Roode was making his promotional debut and once again, Almas found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Working babyface against NXT’s shiniest new star, ‘Cien’ was fighting a losing battle and that wasn’t helped by his inevitable position as the match’s loser either. This time around though, it seemed there was more going on beyond the wins and losses. Intentionally or not, the foundations had been laid for a bitter, villainous Almas, and in hindsight that was the first of two major turning points for him.

In a moment likely forgotten just over a year later, Almas turned on Cedric Alexander after The Revival had unsurprisingly eliminated them both from The Dusty Rhodes Classic. With a vicious edge and an arrogant swagger, Almas instantly looked more comfortable and his performances went from good to great quite rapidly. A series of TV clashes with Oney Lorcan stand out in particular as indications that he’d well and truly found himself as an unmasked worker. The big match results hadn’t yet changed though, as Andrade suffered losses to Roderick Strong and Aleister Black at respective TakeOver events.

Once again though, there was more going on beyond the match’s results as Almas was slowly framed as a man too talented for his own good, wasting his prime away by partying in night clubs. This character was a simple one but it felt fresh all the same and the whole thing gave ‘Cien’ another layer rather than just being a guy that had good matches. He even lost to Cezar Bononi via small package and after high hopes, Almas’ NXT’s career was unravelling all due to his own on-screen distractions. Then along came Zelina Vega, the second major turning point.

Disappointed in her old client’s downfall, Vega whipped Andrade into shape and an improvement in results followed. Honestly, Vega’s impact can’t be stressed enough – and that’s something I hope to delve into in a later piece – but suffice to say, without Zelina ‘Cien’s dramatic rise would be much, much less likely. Nonetheless, after just one match with Vega in his corner, Almas took on Johnny Gargano in Brooklyn and looking back now, it’s clear that this was really just the start of a now classic rivalry. The chemistry between Almas and Gargano was immediately clear and it resulted in bell to bell brilliance as they stole the show, even in the opener position.

This time though, Andrade wasn’t just losing a great match as Vega instead led him to victory, all by simply throwing the iconic DIY shirt at Johnny’s face. That was the perfect groundwork for what has since followed but at the time, it was still a pivotal moment for Almas all the same. With his sights now on the NXT Title, ‘Cien’ was simply on fire. Zelina’s ability on the microphone had connected his character to a greater degree and his in-ring work only continued to grow, getting more aggressive and nasty with each outing.

It culminated at TakeOver: WarGames too, as Almas shockingly dethroned Drew McIntyre to claim the NXT crown. It was a moment of real validation for the former La Sombra as his brave move stateside had finally resulted in genuine success. A lot of great talent has gone through NXT in recent years and a look at that title’s lineage highlights that. Third brand or not, it’s undeniably one of wrestling’s most prestigious belts and the measured approach often taken to much of the promotion’s booking is a big part of that. Now champion, Almas had clearly proven his worth.

For those that had followed the journey, Almas’ victory was a memorable one. To the general viewer though, I’m not so sure. Whilst Drew and Andrade had an excellent world title match, the focus going in and coming out was very much on the revived WarGames match and though that’s understandable, it is rather symbolic of Almas’ luck up to that point. In the end though, none of that would matter as just two months later, ‘Cien’ rolled into Royal Rumble weekend and in many ways, likely changed his career forever.

Once again taking on Johnny Gargano in a well-built, highly anticipated main event match, Almas was finally in a TakeOver’s biggest bout, finally under the brightest lights. Boy did he deliver too, making absolute magic with the immaculate Gargano in one of the greatest matches in WWE’s monumental history. It had enthralling action, breath-taking athleticism and untouchable drama. Quite simply, it was a masterpiece. Almas left Philadelphia with the NXT Title still in his possession and better yet even entered the Royal Rumble, lasting almost 30 minutes before succumbing to Randy Orton’s mandatory cool RKO. The man himself called it the best weekend of his life. I’d say that’s all you need to know.

It’s unclear how much longer NXT will be Almas’ home and moreover, his eventual main roster fortunes are obviously yet to be known. Those are aspects to analyse down the line but regardless of what happens next, let’s not ignore how incredible Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas has been in turning around his career as a WWE talent. Things didn’t start ideally but with hard work and tremendous effort, Almas earnt himself creative focus and with that came the character elements necessary to catapult him to his current status as NXT’s revered and respected champion.

I’m hesitant to say that a man of Andrade’s pedigree will be unable to top that Gargano effort but one thing is for sure, few matches better encapsulate two performers’ brilliance like that one does for Johnny and ‘Cien’. For Gargano, it perfectly highlights his ability to play a genuine hero, a babyface fighting the good fight. That aspect has been very much discussed but to me, for Almas it highlights the element that makes him so genuinely special. Pro wrestling is wildly subjective and the idea of someone being the “best in the world” can be over-discussed but I’ll say this: Almas’ versatility is what makes him stand out to me personality.

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Within the spectacular 32 minutes seen in Philadelphia, Almas showed every element of his marvellous skill-set. He’s a silky smooth grappler, a flashy and dynamic acrobat and when push comes to shove, even a spiteful and violent striker. When I pay my money to see Andrade ‘Cien’ Almas wrestle, I honestly don’t know what kind of match I’ll see and that’s a very rare, very special thing. It wasn’t easy but after climbing his way up the ranks, Almas stands proudly on top of the NXT mountain and best of all, he may only just be getting started.