Report: Andrade Wanted Creative Control, Power To Veto Losses In AEW Contract

New details on Andrade El Idolo's AEW contract, IMPACT negotiations, ROH, and more.

Andrade El Idolo
AEW

Former WWE, CMLL, and NJPW star Andrade El Idolo finally emerged from the wrestling wilderness last week, debuting alongside manager Vickie Guerrero on AEW's special Friday night episode of Dynamite.

AEW announced the former La Sombra's signing later that evening, hitting Twitter with the standard X is All Elite graphic. Now, Wrestling Inc.'s Raj Giri has come through with new information on the 31-year-old's contract with the promotion.

Per Giri, Andrade actually met AEW's Tony Khan the same week he was released from WWE, though the two parties couldn't come to terms. The write-up states that negotiations hit a sticking point when Andrade asked for creative control and the power to veto losses. He and AEW eventually came to a compromise, with the former WWE United States and NXT Champion gaining limited creative control on his match finishes.

Advertisement

Interestingly, Andrade was also in talks with IMPACT Wrestling over a potential deal, with the Anthem-helmed promotion happy to give him the desired creative control. What the parties couldn't agree on was the number of dates he would work, as Andrade would have been paid per date rather than via downside guarantee.

Ring Of Honor was interested in Andrade's services as well.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.