Andrade’s AEW Absence Reportedly Due to WWE Non-Compete Clause – PWInsider has revealed new information about Andrade El Idolo’s recent disappearance from AEW programming, confirming that his absence stems from an active WWE non-compete clause. Andrade made a surprise return to AEW on the October 1 episode of Dynamite, aligning with the Don Callis Family and beginning a feud with Kenny Omega. However, despite the impactful angle, he has not appeared on television since.

According to PWInsider, many within both AEW and WWE initially believed Andrade’s release from WWE in September exempted him from the standard 90-day non-compete period. The belief was based on the understanding that his release was related to Wellness Policy violations, and therefore he would not receive the usual 90 days of post-release pay. “The initial belief even within WWE circles 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 report explained.

However, WWE reportedly contacted Andrade shortly after his AEW return and clarified that the 90-day non-compete period was still in effect — even though he would not be compensated during that time. “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,” PWInsider reported.

A WWE source told the outlet that this decision was made to prevent a potential loophole in company policy. “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 source stated. “It was a loophole the company could not allow to exist.”

The non-compete clause will impact several of Andrade’s upcoming bookings. Although he was advertised for events in Puerto Rico this weekend, he is not expected to appear. He was also scheduled for an autograph signing and a match in New York the weekend of November 15, but those appearances are now unlikely to happen due to the enforced clause.

This update confirms earlier reports from Bryan Alvarez, who stated that Andrade was not dealing with an injury but was being held out of AEW due to contractual restrictions. For now, his storyline with the Don Callis Family remains paused while other members — Konosuke Takeshita and Kazuchika Okada — prepare to challenge Bandido and Brody King for the AEW World Tag Team Championship at WrestleDream on October 18.

Andrade’s AEW Absence Reportedly Due to WWE Non-Compete Clause

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