Last month it was revealed that Andrade had been fired from WWE due to multiple wellness policy violations, and shortly after he returned to All Elite Wrestling on the October 1st episode of Dynamite. However, Andrade has not appeared on AEW programming and it was recently reported that WWE sent a legal letter to AEW following Andrade’s return.
Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer shared an update on the situation and noted that new TKO contracts have a clause that states if talent are fired then they will be subject to a one-year non-compete clause. If this is the case then Andrade could be sidelined for some time, but Alvarez questioned whether or not the clause would hold up in a legal battle.
“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.”
Fightful Select is also reporting that a number of people have indicated Andrade has a “very good lawyer,” but it wasn’t specified if he’ll be fighting the clause. It was also noted that the language of the clause 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 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.”
Another section of the clause also states:
“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.”
The belief is that if Andrade were to fight this in court it would almost certainly be thrown out.
When Andrade returned to AEW he immediately attacked Kenny Omega then joined the Don Callis Family. He also worked a match in Mexico on October 3rd for The Crash.
Stay tuned for updates.