WWE Implements One Year Non-Compete Clauses (WWE News)
Clause reportedly only exists for wrestlers released due to breach of contract.
Andrade El Idolo's recent reappearance then vanishing act on AEW television has the wrestling world in a headlock. Now, Bryan Alvarez of The Wrestling Observer reports that WWE/TKO will standardise one year non-compete clauses in company contracts - those will only come into effect if talent are released for cause or because they breached the terms of their deal.
Alvarez told Observer readers/viewers/listeners: "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 [too], 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".
This is all incredibly interesting, but marks a notable departure from WWE's longstanding 90 day non-compete clauses. In the past, the promotion would keep paying released talent for approx 3 months on the basis they sat at home and/or didn't work for rival companies (or those who had TV).
Fightful Select corroborated reports from The Observer, but they noted that, "If fought in court, this would almost certainly be thrown out".
Alvarez continued: "It’s not that WWE or TKO are trying to be villains here. They just don’t want a situation where someone gets fired and immediately shows up on AEW TV the next week. You agreed to work for a certain period. If you’re fired for cause, you can’t just walk into another company overnight".
It remains to be seen just how long Andrade will be on the All Elite sidelines. The whole situation is murky, messy and could rumble on for quite some time. We'll have more on these reported one year non-compete clauses if any further news breaks.