Andrade Details His Contract Dispute and Current Non-Compete Situation

Andrade Details His Contract Dispute and Current Non-Compete Situation – Andrade remains off AEW television following his brief return at the AEW Dynamite Six-Year Anniversary special. His absence has fueled ongoing discussion about the details of his WWE non-compete clause, whether he was informed about it, and how long the restriction may last. Speaking with DeporTV, Andrade addressed the situation directly and explained the circumstances that have kept him sidelined.

During the interview, Andrade reflected on his decision-making over the past several years. “I returned to WWE a year and a half ago, I was in AEW, and at that time I was happy earning millions but I was married. My ex-wife’s name is Charlotte Flair and the idea was to return to WWE, to be with her, and many things happened. We got divorced and I was not comfortable in some things, I had a warning call because many medicines and supplements that in Mexico can be consumed but not there. 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,” he said.

Andrade was released by WWE on September 13, and during his earlier tenure with the company he reportedly had at least one wellness violation. He told DeporTV that his exit from WWE was amicable at first. “I talked to WWE, we reached an agreement to leave WWE and we ended up in the best way in that time. Then I returned to AEW, I imagine they didn’t like WWE (that he returned to AEW), I really don’t know. I’m very grateful to WWE. Since the lawyer I had was also my ex-wife’s lawyer, you can’t use the same lawyer anymore. The contract I signed, the lawyer did not realize a clause of 12 months without competition, and from there they took that clause. Right now we are in that phase. It wouldn’t be a year, we’re negotiating. I’m going to be 3 months inactive and I can’t compete worldwide.”

Standard WWE contracts typically include a 90-day non-compete after a release, but the company’s agreements also state that WWE may terminate talent without cause and restrict them from competing for up to one year without pay. Andrade reiterated that he originally did not have such a clause but said it was activated after his AEW return. “At first I didn’t have clause, I could fight leaving WWE. Then the clause came when they saw me debut in AEW. Well, now it’s nothing more than getting ready and a normal day is waking up, having dinner, training, going down to the beach, sunbathing, tanning, more than anything not thinking about that,” he said.

When asked how long he expects to remain inactive, Andrade explained that negotiations are underway. “My lawyers are already talking to the WWE lawyers, they are already reaching an arrangement. I don’t know the exact date but let’s hope it’s in a month, a week, or before.” He added that while he could legally challenge the clause, his legal team advised against taking the matter to court due to the cost and timeline. “We can fight, we can go to court, but the lawyers told me that the process may be longer. It is also the expense, the process, and they are trying to negotiate so as not to go to court. They have reached a good arrangement and are doing things better. I think I have a date and my lawyer too, but it remains for WWE to officially sign it to say ‘okay, this is the day Andrade returns to the ring.’”

At this time, there is no confirmed date for Andrade’s in-ring return, and negotiations between both sides remain ongoing.