An update on Andrade‘s absence from All Elite Wrestling.
On the October 1 episode of AEW Dynamite, Andrade surprised fans when he attacked Kenny Omega and joined AEW’s Don Callis Family, just weeks after departing from WWE. Even more surprising is his absence since then, which has left those same fans scratching their heads.
According to Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, Andrade’s absence is not attributed to injury or an abrupt exit from AEW, but rather an issue with a 90-day non-compete clause attached to his departure from WWE.
“I was told that he’s not hurt. He didn’t get himself fired, but apparently something is up involving his WWE non-compete,” Alvarez said. “Maybe they figure maybe we can get this worked out in time to put the Kenny Omega match on, but they didn’t. I don’t know, but I was given the impression it could be something that could be resolved quickly, or it could be something that might not be resolved for a while. But it’s something related to the non-compete. When he was fired [from WWE], remember we were told they didn’t care?”
AEW (& Some WWE) Officials Reportedly Unaware of Non-Compete Clause
AEW officials were reportedly unaware of Andrade having a non-compete clause, though according to Meltzer, that changed when they received a letter from WWE.
“That is that is what I’ve been hearing was WWE sent a letter. [AEW] obviously didn’t know. AEW obviously believed that there was no non-compete,” Meltzer said. “There were people who talked to people in WWE who also believed that there was no non-compete, but WWE apparently, that’s the story is that they said that there’s he can’t do [shows] for 90 days.”
Adding to the updates on Andrade’s situation, Fightful Select reports that Andrade is signed to AEW and seemed to be in good spirits over the last week amidst his AEW television absence. Still, the uncertainty surrounding his absence remains, with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful also noting that some figures in WWE were unaware of his reported non-compete clause.
WrestleZone will provide more information on Andrade’s status are it becomes available.
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