Andrade hasn’t been seen since his surprise return to All Elite Wrestling on the October 1 episode of Dynamite. After aligning with the Don Callis Family, Andrade immediately began a feud with Kenny Omega, but has not been seen on AEW since.
According to PWInsider, there was an initial belief, even within some people in WWE , that Andrade’s situation was different from a standard release. “The initial belief even within WWE team was that since Andrade was cut outright due to Wellness Policy violations, he was not going to be paid his 90 days and was free and clear to begin performing elsewhere,” the site stated. However, after Andrade appeared in AEW and began working dates in Mexico, WWE reportedly contacted him to clarify the terms of his release.
PWInsider reports that WWE informed Andrade that he was still subject to the standard 90-day non-compete period, even though he would not be paid for it. “We are told that after he began making his appearances in Mexico and the United States, WWE clarified to Andrade that even though he was not going to get the traditional 90 days’ pay following his release, Andrade was still subject to the 90-day period where he cannot perform elsewhere,” the report continued.
A WWE source explained to PWInsider that the company wanted to prevent a situation where a talent could violate company policy and immediately begin working for another promotion.
The source says, “the company was not going to have a system in place where someone could theoretically leave the company due to violating their policies and then walk off to end up elsewhere the next day.” The situation was described as a “loophole the company could not allow to exist.”
As a result of the situation, several of Andrade’s upcoming bookings may now be affected. He has been advertised for appearances in Puerto Rico this weekend and for an event in New York on November 15, but those dates are now at risk due to the WWE non-compete clause.
