WWE didn’t want policy violations to provide a loophole to work elsewhere.
Due to the short turnaround between leaving WWE and returning to AEW, it was initially believed Andrade didn’t have a non-compete clause attached to his departure. However, after he’d been missing from programming since his comeback, it was clarified earlier today on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE had sent a legal letter to AEW indicating Andrade isn’t able to appear for 90 days.
Providing an update on the situation, PWInsider Elite are now reporting WWE informed Andrade that he couldn’t compete elsewhere to ensure there wasn’t a loophole that allowed stars to violate policy and immediately appear for other companies.
“After he began making his appearances, WWE clarified to Andrade that even though he was not going to get the traditional 90 days’ pay following his release, he was still subject to the 90 day period where he cannot perform elsewhere. One WWE source said the company was not going to have a system in place where someone could leave due to violating policies and then end up elsewhere the next day. It was described as a loophole WWE could not allow to exist.”
-PWInsider Elite
When he returned to Dynamite, Andrade attacked Kenny Omega and joined The Don Callis Family. With the 35-year-old now having to wait out his non-compete clause, it remains to be seen as to whether this is something the company return to when he’s back.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on Andrade’s AEW absence as soon as we hear more.
