Overview
- After a surprise AEW return on October 1, Andrade was pulled from television and later from advertised indie dates, and WWE notified AEW about his status, with no lawsuit reported.
- Contract wording obtained by Fightful indicates newer WWE deals can block work for up to one year following a termination for cause, diverging from the industry’s paid 90-day release norm.
- Former WWE performer and attorney David Otunga said a judge would likely invalidate an unpaid yearlong restriction if a talent challenged it.
- PWInsider reporting says some in lucha circles believe WWE may be leveraging the clause to coax Andrade back, a notion not confirmed by the company.
- The reach of longer non-competes appears wider than in-ring talent, as former ring announcer Samantha Irvin wrote that she is one year into a two-year restriction.