Update 10/16/25, 4:30pm EST: Fightful Select published a report with the precise language from Andrade’s contract, which Bryan Alvarez reports is now the usual in WWE deals. See below for the complete text.
After every week of speculation, the explanation for Andrade’s absence on AEW TV was revealed this morning, when F4WOnline and PWInsider individually confirmed it was related to a noncomplete clause in Andrade’s WWE contract that WWE selected to implement after releasing him last month. On the time, it was thought the noncompete could keep Andrade out for the normal 90 day period most wrestlers face after being let go, regardless that he would not be paid in that point. Because it seems though, Andrade could face a fair longer spell on the sidelines.
PWinsider Elite reports that there may be emerging talk in “lucha circles” that this noncompete clause could keep Andrade out for one yr. The explanation for this “because of breach of his WWE deal when Andrade was terminated,” though it isn’t explained whether the breach was Andrade signing with AEW, or something that caused his WWE release. It was noted that something of this nature could possibly be challenged legally by Andrade, should he decide to accomplish that.
That is not all, as Fightful Select provided some insight from Andrade’s viewpoint, with the luchador believing he was free and clear after his WWE release, as he was not told of any noncompete, and subsequently began taking bookings. Soon after, Andrade’s representatives met with Tony Khan during this era, during which an AEW deal was reached, and Andrade and Khan first met again the day Andrade returned to AEW, where he attacked Kenny Omega.
There Is Reportedly No Bad Blood Between AEW And Andrade Despite Situation
As surprising because the story could also be to fans and people in AEW, it appears to be just as surprising to people in WWE, with many stating they too believed Andrade was gone from WWE with no strings attached. It was noted that, due to noncompete, “normal circumstances” may lead to WWE asking Andrade to work WWE dates, but it surely is believed that might be “undermined” by the wellness violations Andrade reportedly received before his release.
Regarding the legality of this case and Andrade difficult it, many people have suggested that Andrade “has a ‘superb lawyer.'” Nonetheless, it isn’t clear at the moment whether he will probably be taking motion against WWE with the intention to challenge the noncompete. The situation has drawn comparisons to Brock Lesnar’s 2004 departure from WWE, which saw the promotion try and hold him to a multi-year noncompete clause. Lesnar challenged it in court and won, allowing him to compete in Latest Japan Pro Wrestling and later UFC.
It is alleged the situation with Andrade, together with Kota Ibushi’s injury, did cause plans for “Dynamite” and WrestleDream to vary, which likely would’ve seen Andrade proceed a program with Omega. Nonetheless, no bad blood exists between AEW and Andrade, who is alleged to have remained in “good spirits” throughout this process. While anything can occur, AEW’s working plan is to proceed to make use of Andrade as soon as this case is wrapped up.
One 12 months Noncompete Clauses Reportedly Latest Standard In WWE Contracts
As for the noncompete clause in Andrade’s contract that might keep him out for over a yr, it appears to be something that applies to all WWE wrestlers. F4WOnline’s Bryan Alvarez reported this afternoon that every one latest WWE contracts have a “lengthy noncompete” clause in them, if a wrestler happens to be fired for breaching their contract. What exactly a breach of contract constitutes for WWE, nevertheless, stays a mystery.
“We have now it confirmed through multiple sources that the brand new TKO contracts have a clause where in the event you are fired, there may be a one-year non-compete,” Alvarez said. “The older contracts had this but it surely’s standard now. That is the hold-up involving Andrade. Very skeptical this may delay in a legal battle, but it surely’s within the contracts.”
Fightful Select subsequently reported that they had learned the precise text of the clause, which reads as follows:
“(b) Upon termination of this Agreement by PROMOTER for breach of the terms hereof, WRESTLER shall not work, appear, or perform in any capability for any skilled 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 US for a period of up to at least one (1) yr from the date of such expiration or termination, as specified by PROMOTER within the notice of termination; provided, nevertheless, that if no lesser period is specified by PROMOTER within the notice of termination, such period shall be one (1) yr.”
Fightful also reports that the contracts include the following follow-up language:
“12.4 In no circumstances, by any means, shall either party to this Agreement be liable to the opposite 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.”