New WWE Contracts Reportedly Contain Terms for Lengthy Non-Compete If Wrestlers Are Fired For Cause or Breach, Update on Andrade El Idolo’s AEW/WWE Situation

As noted before, Andrade El Idolo made his surprise return to AEW at the AEW Dynamite 6th Anniversary show earlier this month. Since then, Andrade has been noticeably absent from AEW for reasons currently believed to be due to WWE sending a letter to AEW and invoking a non-compete clause for Andrade without pay.

The Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez reported that his sources stated that new WWE contracts from TKO now contain a clause where if a wrestler gets fired, then a one-year non-compete clause is issued.

Alvarez reported that this is the issue that has been holding up Andrade’s return in AEW.

Alvarez also speculated that this new clause likely would not hold up if challenged in court.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that he heard similar things from the current word making its way in “lucha circles” is that Andrade could be kept out of the ring for one year by WWE contractually over claims of Andrade breached his WWE deal when he was terminated by the company. Johnson reported that this lengthy non-compete would be subject to whether that stipulation of his WWE deal could be challenged successfully legally.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that WWE had sent a cease and desist letter to AEW informing them that Andrade was still under contract to them for a 90-day period following his release.

It was reported that this cease and desist letter from WWE came as a surprise to many within AEW and WWE. Those spoken to familiar with the situation reportedly stated that they did not believe the fault lay with either AEW or Andrade. It was reported that the prevailing belief, even among WWE staff and roster members, was that Andrade had been outright fired an was a free agent with no additional time left on his deal with WWE.

It was reported that after his departure from WWE, Andrade began taking independent bookings and signed a contract with AEW under the assumption he was free to do so. It was also reported that Andrade’s representatives spoke with AEW CEO Tony Khan and the two reportedly saw each other for the first time on the day of his AEW return.

It was also reported that they have yet to confirm from their sources if Andrade is not being paid during his 90-day non-compete.

It was also reported that an unpaid non-compete would be very easy to fight in court but any legal battle would likely last longer than the 90-day period itself.

It was also reported that Andrade’s unforeseen abscense had a direct impact on AEW’s creative plans for both the immediate plans for both AEW Dynamite and WrestleDream 2025. Those spoken to within AEW reportedly stated that there is no bad blood towards Andrade over this situation and the working plan is still for him to compete in AEW once his contract issue is fully resolved.

In regards to Andrade, it was reported that one source close to Andrade stated that he was in “good spirits this week” despite the circumstances and was keeping the matter quiet.

It was reported that the exact text of this new clause in WWE contracts state:

“(b) Upon termination of this Agreement by PROMOTER for breach of the terms hereof, WRESTLER shall not work, appear, or perform in any capacity for any professional wrestling, sports entertainment, mixed martial arts and/or ultimate fighting organization, promotion or entity not owned or controlled by PROMOTER (or any affiliated or subsidiary company thereof) in the United States for a period of up to one (1) year from the date of such expiration or termination, as specified by PROMOTER in the notice of termination; provided, however, that if no lesser period is specified by PROMOTER in the notice of termination, such period shall be one (1) year.”

The new contracts reportedly also include the ensuing follow-up language:

“12.4 In no circumstances, whatsoever, shall either party to this Agreement be liable to the other party for any punitive or exemplary damages; and all such damages, whether arising out of the breach of this Agreement or otherwise, are expressly waived.”