Andrade Explains WWE Exit & Non-Compete Situation, Says His Lawyers Are Talking To WWE

Andrade has spoken out to address his exit from WWE and the headline-grabbing non-compete clause preventing him from working elsewhere. As previously reported, WWE is enforcing a 12-month non-compete clause on Andrade following his exit from WWE in September. The non-compete was brought up after the former WWE star made his return to AEW on October 1st.

It had been reported that Andrade was released from WWE for disciplinary reasons. He had been reported as having failed a wellness test at some point before his release. He appeared on DeporTV and spoke about his situation. Andrade said that he was not comfortable with certain things in WWE and that he reached an agreement to leave. He added that WWE informed him of the non-compete after his AEW return, and that his lawyer from his time in WWE was also Charlotte Flair’s, who he is unable to use anymore as they got divorced.

Andrade said that his lawyers are talking with WWE and “negotiating.” You can see highlights below (per Fightful):

On The End of His Time In WWE:

“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.”

On His WWE Exit and Non-Compete:

“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.”

On WWE Invoking The Clause After His AEW Return:

“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.”

On How Long He Expects To Be Out of Action:

“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.”

On Fighting The Non-Compete:

“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.’”