Andrade has publicly commented for the first time on where things stand regarding his AEW status following a number of strange updates.
Following his release from WWE, Andrade made his shock return to AEW on the 6th anniversary Dynamite special, which saw him attack Kenny Omega and join The Don Callis Family. However, following the return, the former WWE star has not been seen on TV or mentioned by Callis.
In the weeks that followed, reports emerged that the absence was in relation to Andrade’s non-compete that stemmed from his WWE release. As the former United States Champion was terminated by the company, it has been claimed that the non-compete could last for a year. When asked about this on the WrestleDream media call, AEW President Tony Khan declined to comment.
“The Clause Came When They Saw Me In AEW”: Andrade
While speaking with DeporTV, Andrade addressed his situation. First speaking about his return to WWE in 2024, Andrade stated that his wife at the time, Charlotte Flair, was a factor in that decision:
“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,” he said.
Continuing, Andrade then spoke about his departure, and how he felt that WWE were not happy with what happened:
“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.”
He also added that the non-compete kicked in whe he turned up on Dynamite:
“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,”he said.
When Will Andrade Return To AEW?
When asked about a potential return to the ring, Andrade admitted that it could be an expensive and time-consuming process:
“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. 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.’”
H/t to Fightful for the use of transcriptions.
Featured image: AEW
