In the opening contest of AEW Dynamite on July 29, 2026, Andrade El Idolo put his National Championship on the line against two determined opponents: Jack Perry and Nick Wayne. The match, a triple threat, came just days after Andrade captured the title from Mark Davis at the Redemption pay-per-view. Perry, who had previously lost the same belt to Davis earlier this year, was aiming to reclaim gold and become a two-time champion. Wayne, a rising star, saw this as a career-defining opportunity.

The bell rang and Perry immediately launched a superkick at Andrade, knocking him out of the ring and leaving him to recover on the outside. Perry then turned his attention to Wayne, and the two younger competitors began a fast-paced exchange. Wayne gained the upper hand briefly, but Andrade re-entered the fray, catching both men off guard with a double suplex that sent them crashing to the mat. Perry, however, refused to be subdued. He rallied with a series of high-flying maneuvers, taking both opponents down with a spectacular moonsault to the floor. The crowd erupted as Perry seemed to have the momentum. But when the action returned to the squared circle, Andrade seized control. He isolated Perry, sent him to the outside, and then delivered a devastating DM to Wayne, planting him for the three-count. The champion retained, but the match was far from a walkover.

After the victory, Andrade grabbed a microphone and pulled out the Dynamite Diamond Ring, a prize he had previously won. He declared that he took great pleasure in 'screwing over' both MJF and Don Callis, referencing his ongoing feud with The Family. Tony Schiavone entered the ring to interview the champion. He asked if Andrade had any interest in competing in the Casino Gauntlet match at the All In event, which grants the winner a future world championship opportunity. Schiavone also noted that a qualifying match was scheduled for next week in Mexico. Andrade's response was simple and enigmatic: 'How you know?' He smirked, dropped the microphone, and left the ring, leaving the AEW universe buzzing with questions.

The implications of this segment are significant. Andrade's feud with Don Callis and The Family has been simmering for weeks, and his deliberate mention of MJF suggests that the former world champion may also be a target. By teasing a potential entry into the Casino Gauntlet, Andrade has positioned himself as a wildcard for All In. However, his cryptic answer raises doubts about whether he will actually compete or if he has a different plan. The qualifying match in Mexico next week adds another layer of intrigue, as it could involve other members of The Family or surprise opponents. Andrade's confidence after his title defense indicates he is aiming for the top of the card, but the National Championship remains a valuable asset that could be leveraged in future negotiations. With Perry and Wayne both likely to seek rematches, Andrade's path to All In is far from clear.