New WWE contracts have measures in place to ensure that certain departing performers can’t just show up in another promotion.
According to a new report from F4WOnline.com, WWE and TKO made updates to their contract structure that added a lengthy non-compete clause to contracts. According to F4W’s Bryan Alvarez, multiple sources stated that new TKO contracts have a clause that implements a one-year non-compete clause if they are fired.
“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,” Alvarez said. “The older contracts had this 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.”
It’s worth noting that the initial headline said this would apply to talent that is fired with cause or breach of contract (compared to talent fired without cause or “at-will.”)
It is now presumed that this could be something that is preventing Andrade from appearing on AEW TV. El Idolo made his return to AEW on October 1, but has not been seen since then. When he was fired by WWE earlier this year, it was not believed that he had any type of non-compete. PWInsider.com also reported that despite the non-compete being enforced, Andrade is not being paid while he sits out, which has been typical of many WWE contracts.
Update: Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp shared the language in WWE contracts specific to the “for cause” non-compete extension:
Read More: Tony Khan Comments On Andrade’s Status
