Andrade Gives An Update On His Situation, Says His Lawyers Are Talking To WWE And Trying To Reach An Agreement On Non-Compete

Andrade is currently off AEW television after making his return at AEW Dynamite Six-Year Anniversary, weeks after being released by WWE.

There has been much discussion and reporting regarding Andrade’s non-compete, whether he was told about it, and the possibility of a one-year non-compete.

Speaking to DeporTV, Andrade opened up regarding his current situation.

“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. He reportedly had at least one wellness violation during his run with the company.

He continued, “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.”

Wrestlers are typically subject to a 90-day non-compete clause upon being released by WWE, but contracts state that WWE can fire without cause and hold a talent out for a year without paying them. The contract notes that the non-compete is for one year.

Andrade once again claimed WWE kicked in the clause after his AEW debut.

“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.

Asked how long he’ll be out of action, Andrade replied, “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.”

Asked about his right to work, he said, “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.'”

It is unknown when Andrade will return to the ring.

Fightful will continue to update fans on the situation when more is known.

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