The recent AEW returnee could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Earlier today, Dave Meltzer revealed on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE had sent a legal letter to AEW concerning Andrade’s non-compete clause, shedding light on his onscreen absence since returning to the promotion on 1 October.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider Elite is now reporting that there is talk Andrade’s breach of his non-compete clause could result in him being kept out of in-ring action for up to a year, though it remains unclear whether WWE could face legal challenges over the matter.
“The word making its way in lucha circles today is that Andrade could be kept out of ring for one year by WWE contractually due to breach of his WWE deal when he was terminated. That would be subject to whether that stipulation of his WWE deal could be challenged successfully from a legal perspective.”
-PWInsider Elite
Bryan Alvarez of F4W has since corroborated Johnson’s report regarding a one-year non-compete clause, adding, however, that this detail is now standard practice for TKO contracts.
“We have it confirmed through multiple sources that the new TKO contracts have a clause where if you are fired, there is a one-year non-compete. The older contracts had this but it’s standard now. This is the hold-up involving Andrade. Very skeptical this would hold up in a legal battle, but it’s in the contracts.”
-Bryan Alvarez
Andrade’s return to AEW following his WWE exit saw him attack Kenny Omega and subsequently join the Don Callis Family. Whilst many anticipated that the angle would lead to a singles match between Andrade and Omage at AEW: WrestleDream on October 18, that no longer looks to be a possibility.
PWInsider Elite’s latest update follows their earlier report that WWE had notified AEW about Andrade’s non-compete clause, aiming to close a potential loophole linked to his exit, which was reportedly related to alleged wellness policy violations. You can read more about that here.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Andrade’s non-compete status as soon as we hear more.
