Andrade El Idolo is likely to be lounging within the solar and “not occupied with that”—however WWE reportedly isn’t letting him off the hook so simply.
Simply when followers thought that they had the total story, an explosive replace from Dave Meltzer within the Wrestling Observer Publication flips Andrade’s calm narrative on its head.
Based on Meltzer, the concept that Andrade left WWE on good phrases is totally divorced from WWE’s inner model of occasions. WWE insiders are telling a really totally different—and way more damning—story about why the previous champion was let go, and what they’re legally entitled to do subsequent.
“The thought he ended up leaving WWE on the most effective phrases is as utterly reverse to how WWE described it as attainable.”
The report claims that Andrade was fired for disciplinary causes after a number of failed drug assessments—and WWE allegedly used that to keep away from paying him any severance whereas nonetheless implementing a strict 12-month worldwide non-compete clause.
“They claimed a number of drug take a look at failures and he was fired and since he was fired for disciplinary causes they felt they didn’t need to pay the same old 90 day severance… and nonetheless maintain him to a non-compete for a yr worldwide.”
That’s a far cry from Andrade’s model of occasions, the place he stated he left WWE with mutual respect, however received caught off guard by a clause his lawyer ignored. In an earlier interview with Los Protagonistas, he stated:
“The contract I signed, the lawyer didn’t notice a clause of 12 months with out competitors… At first I didn’t have clause, I may combat leaving WWE. Then the clause got here after they noticed me debut in AEW.”
He additionally claimed that non-public points—together with his divorce from Charlotte Aptitude and shared authorized illustration—left him weak to contract pitfalls. Now? Andrade says he’s simply ready for WWE to log out on a shortened clause. He shared:
“My attorneys are already speaking to the WWE attorneys. They’ve reached an excellent association… I believe I’ve a date and my lawyer too, however it stays for WWE to formally signal it.”
However with WWE reportedly feeling justified of their proper to not solely terminate him with out pay, but additionally lock him out of wrestling worldwide for a yr, the deal is probably not as near ultimate as Andrade thinks. Nonetheless, Meltzer did provide a glimmer of hope — WWE “could not maintain him to the total one yr,” that means negotiations are very a lot ongoing behind the scenes.
For now, Andrade is staying affected person, specializing in the seashore, coaching, and dodging drama. However this saga could also be removed from over—and it’s clear either side are enjoying by very totally different scripts.
What do you assume? Do you imagine Andrade’s model of occasions, or is WWE’s facet extra convincing? Ought to fired wrestlers nonetheless be held to non-compete clauses? Drop your ideas beneath—we wish to hear from you.
November 29, 2025 10:52 am