Backstage Note on WWE Non-Compete Clauses, If WWE Can Ever Walk Back Decision

The recent controversy surrounding former WWE talents Andrade El Idolo and Samantha Irvin has raised many questions surrounding WWE non-compete clauses and how they work. The latest Fightful Select Answers Q&A has more details on how this might work.

Usually, when a main roster talent is released by WWE, they are subject to a 90-day non-compete period. Technically, that period is said to be a “notice of termination” rather than a formal non-compete. So, it was asked if WWE can ever walk back a decision to release the talent during that period, or is the advanced notice of termination binding?

According to Sean Ross Sapp, speaking to agents in the industry, they believe WWE could likely walk back the decision if they wanted to, but it’s mostly unprecedented. The closest example is likely the Drake Maverick situation in WWE NXT.

Fans might recall how Drake Maverick was released by WWE in April 2020. However, despite WWE confirming his release, he was still allowed to compete in the Interim Cruiserweight Title tournament.

The recent it is a slightly different situation is because, as noted by Fightful, WWE instead opted to sign Maverick to a completely different contract after his release, rather than walking back the decision. Maverick was released again by WWE in November 2021.

Drake Maverick would later go on to rejoin WWE as part of the company’s creative team. Although technically a situation with WWE walking back the decision to release someone technically hasn’t happened yet, it’s bound to happen at some point.