Andrade "Negotiating With WWE" To Reduce 12-Month Non-Compete Clause (AEW News)
Andrade hopeful of being back in ring sooner rather than later.
Having shockingly returned to AEW and laid out Kenny Omega on the 1 October edition of Dynamite, and then completely vanished from TV amidst reports of having a mammoth one-year non-compete clause as part of his WWE exit, there's now somewhat of an update on Andrade El Idolo.
Of course, Andrade was terminated by WWE in September, with it later reported that the former United States Champion had "multiple wellness violations" during his second run with the company. Because of the nature of that firing under the TKO banner, that meant that Andrade had a one-year non-compete clause that was seemingly overlooked when he turned up back in AEW, and which meant all further AEW plans for the talent were shelved. Since then, there have been varying reports on whether that non-compete only prevents El Idolo from wrestling in the United States or whether it restricts him globally. There has also been plenty of chatter about just how enforceable that non-compete is should the 36-year-old decide to legally challenge it.
Andrade himself has now addressed this matter, appearing on DeporTV (per Fightful) to suggest he could be back in action in just a matter of months.
As El Idolo explained, WWE only informed him of that lengthy non-compete clause after he'd returned to AEW. In terms of his return to WWE at the 2024 Royal Rumble, the star explained how the main reason for that was to be with his then-wife Charlotte Flair. The couple would end up getting divorced, and Andrade "was not comfortable in some things" and "had a warning call because many medicines and supplements that, in Mexico, can be consumed, but not there." He added that "we have certain restrictions on recipes that we cannot consume as athletes, because of doping and things like that. I was also a little annoyed."
Where the non-compete element is concerned, Andrade El Idolo detailed how he previously had the same lawyer as Charlotte, but that "you can't use the same lawyer anymore. The contract I signed, the lawyer did not realise a clause of 12 months without competition, and from there, they took that clause."
In terms of when we may see Andrade lacing up his boots again, negotiations are currently underway with WWE. The one-time La Sombra remains hopeful that it won't be a full year of no action, stating, "I'm going to be three months inactive, and I can't compete worldwide." He also highlighted the expense and time-consuming process of taking things to court, which is why he's actively trying to negotiate with WWE rather than take that option. Andrade and his lawyer believe they have a date for his return to the ring, "but it remains for WWE to officially sign it so say, 'Okay, this is the day Andrade returns to the ring.'"
In the meantime, El Idolo's current daily regime is "waking up, having dinner, training, going down to the beach, sunbathing, tanning, more than anything, not thinking about that."