The ongoing saga of Andrade’s wrestling future has taken a complex turn, with WWE enforcing a reportedly lengthy one-year non-compete clause following his controversial release, and AEW caught in the middle. WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff recently analyzed the situation, offering insight into the enforceability of non-compete agreements in professional wrestling and advising AEW’s Tony Khan on the potential risks of pursuing litigation against WWE.
The Context: Andrade’s Mysterious Absence from AEW TV
After debuting on AEW Dynamite on October 1, Andrade abruptly vanished from television. Earlier reports revealed this disappearance was linked to a non-compete clause WWE inserted in his release agreement, which purportedly lasts a full year—far beyond the typical 90-day industry standard. The clause reportedly prevents Andrade from wrestling on any competing promotion’s television programming during this period.
Sources close to AEW indicate that the promotion was initially unaware of this legal restriction. In fact, Fightful reported WWE issued AEW a cease-and-desist notice regarding Andrade’s involvement, prompting AEW to pull him from their shows[1][5].
Eric Bischoff’s Candid Breakdown of Non-Compete Realities
On his podcast 83 Weeks, Eric Bischoff explained how non-compete agreements can vary widely in enforceability depending on jurisdiction. He pointed out that states like California and Florida notoriously resist upholding such clauses in court, while others like Connecticut or Florida (depending on WWE’s choice) might be more favorable to enforcing them.
Bischoff said:
“Every judge and every jurisdiction is going to be different… Good luck enforcing a non-compete in California, Florida, Alabama—you’ll get laughed out.”[1]
He further elaborated that while WWE might have a solid contractual claim, legally challenging it is not impossible, especially if Andrade and AEW are willing to invest the necessary resources.
High Cost of Legal Battles Deters Challenges
However, Bischoff also cautioned that most wrestlers and promotions shy away from fighting non-compete clauses due to the exorbitant cost and time commitment involved. He approximated legal fees to range between $150,000 to $250,000, with the risk of burning bridges in the industry.
“If you have the money and time to challenge, you’ll probably win. But most people aren’t willing to fight it; they’ll just ride it out.”[1]
Bischoff speculated that AEW President Tony Khan is unlikely to embark on a legal battle with WWE over Andrade’s case, given the financial and logistical burden of depositions and discovery processes.
“Tony Khan doesn’t want to sit through discovery or depositions… even if he can afford it, it’s a time suck. I can’t imagine it would be worth spending half a million in legal fees to fight for Andrade.”[2]
Could the Case Set a Legal Precedent?
Although Bischoff is skeptical about AEW fighting WWE over Andrade’s non-compete, he acknowledged the potential high stakes and significant industry-wide implications if a legal challenge did occur. A court ruling in favor of Andrade could reshape how wrestling contracts and non-compete clauses are drafted and enforced going forward, setting a precedent that might limit WWE’s power to suppress talent movement.
“It would end up creating a precedent… potentially changing the way the business operates.”[4]
Yet, as of now, both sides appear to prefer caution, with AEW opting to keep Andrade off the air and not escalate the matter.
Andrade’s Release and Non-Compete Clause Unusualness
Unlike many WWE releases that come with a standard 90-day non-compete, Andrade’s release was reportedly due to multiple violations of WWE’s Wellness Policy—a grounds that WWE used to justify an extended one-year non-compete clause preventing him from competing elsewhere. Reports suggest WWE took additional legal steps to close any loopholes to prevent Andrade from bypassing this clause[2].
The severity of the clause has sparked considerable debate among fans and industry insiders. Typically, non-compete clauses in wrestling contracts seek to protect business interests for only a few months, but WWE’s aggressive approach in Andrade’s case is unprecedented in recent years.
AEW’s Strategic Response and Andrade’s Current Status
While Andrade remains sidelined from AEW programming, he is reportedly still scheduled for a November 1 independent wrestling event, indicating he’s keeping options open outside televised wrestling[1]. Meanwhile, AEW is believed to be monitoring the situation closely but avoiding any public confrontation with WWE for now.
According to a WWE insider:
“AEW wants to avoid a drawn-out legal battle with WWE. Fighting this contract issue would be expensive and time-consuming, so the smart play is to wait it out until Andrade’s clause expires.”
This cautious approach reflects AEW’s desire to balance respect for legal boundaries while still supporting Andrade’s career progression.
What’s Next for Andrade and the WWE vs. AEW Wars?
The Andrade situation highlights ongoing tensions between WWE and AEW as the two companies compete for top talent. WWE’s use of extended non-compete clauses can be seen as a tactic to restrict AEW’s ability to capitalize on newly freed wrestlers, but it also risks alienating fans and talent advocates.
Bischoff’s assessment shows that while legal fights are possible and could be won by wrestlers or AEW, the financial and professional implications are heavy deterrents. For now, Andrade’s wrestling future hangs in limbo, a pawn caught in the complex legal chess game between wrestling’s two dominant promotions.
Industry watchers and fans will be watching intently in hopes that Andrade can return to active competition soon—either once the non-compete expires or if a legal breakthrough occurs. Meanwhile, AEW’s decision not to provoke WWE legally suggests the battle for Andrade — and for wrestling’s contractual standards — will continue behind closed doors for some time.
This report will be updated as new information about Andrade’s legal battle and contract status emerges.