More Backstage Details on AEW & Andrade El Idolo Situation

What is going on with Andrade El Idolo and AEW? As previously reported, Andrade El Idolo disappeared from AEW following his recent return to the promotion on October 1, the sixth anniversary show for Dynamite. Fightful Select released an update with an overview of the situation.

As noted, despite WWE terminating Andrade’s contract, the league reportedly sent a cease-and-desist order to AEW, still enforcing the company’s non-compete clause of 90 days. It was initially thought that Andrade didn’t have one since he was terminated due to alleged wellness violations, but it appeared that was not the case.

Fightful Select reports that sources familiar with the situation said they didn’t believe what happened was AEW or Andrade’s fault. Rumors of the issue reportedly started emerging last week, with the belief that WWE simply told Andrade that he was done, with no knowledge of a 90-day non-compete clause going into effect.

Andrade then started taking bookings and also signed with AEW. Fightful notes that the former WWE Superstar and United States Champion had a team of representatives speak with Tony Khan, with the two parties seeing each other for the first time since Andrade’s previous AEW run on the day of his return. Additionally, WWE staff, wrestlers, and sources also believed the wrestler was gone from the company with no additional time left on his deal since the wrestler was outright fired.

Fightful reports that under normal release circumstances, WWE could still ask Andrade to work events and TV shows, but that would undermine the wellness policy violations that led to his termination. Additionally, Fightful notes that WWE agents they spoke with have never heard about wrestlers’ pay being docked while they were suspended due to a wellness violation.

Multiple sources also informed Fightful Select that Andrade El Idolo has a “very good lawyer,” but it wasn’t said if Andrade’s legal representation intends to fight the cease and desist. Although the 90 days is typically referred to as a “non-compete,” Fightful notes that it technically serves more as a notice of “contract expiration” as talent still gets paid during that period.

PWInsider Elite reports that Andrade is not getting paid during his 90-day non-compete period, but Fightful has not independently confirmed that information. Fightful’s report also notes that it would be an easy rule to fight in court. However, any potential court fight would likely extend past Andrade’s currently ongoing non-compete period.

Also, Fightful Select reports, per AEW sources, that Andrade El Idolo’s having to be taken off AEW programming didn’t affect any “immediate creative plans” for either AEW Dynamite or WrestleDream, and the same is the case for Kota Ibushi’s recent unfortunate injury, where he suffered a broken femur. It’s also said that there isn’t any bad blood between AEW and Andrade over the incident, and it’s said the working plan is to still have him competing in AEW once the situation is resolved.

WWE previously attempted to enforce non-compete clauses in the past, such as with Brock Lesnar after he exited WWE in 2004. The non-compete did not hold up in court, and Lesnar was given the green light to wrestle in NJPW. He also changed the name of his finishing move, the F5, to “The Verdict,” in reference to his legal settlement with WWE.

A source close to Andrade El Idolo also informed Fightful that the wrestler is in good spirits this week despite the situation, and he is said to be keeping things very quiet. His non-compete period is reportedly slated to end in mid-December. The report also notes that Andrade is still currently signed to AEW.