WWE & TKO Update Contract Structure

Alvarez has confirmed with multiple sources that new WWE/TKO contracts have a clause where, when a talent gets fired, there is a one-year non-compete. It’s standard practice now instead of something that isn't always enforced. Alvarez said:

“We have it confirmed through multiple sources that the new TKO contracts have a clause where if you are fired, there is a one-year non-compete. The older contracts had this, but it’s standard now. This is the hold-up involving Andrade. Very skeptical this would hold up in a legal battle, but it’s in the contracts.” (H/T:F4Wonline)

Though AEW wasn’t the only place where Andrade made an appearance since WWE released him, reportedly due to multiple wellness violations. On October 3, he wrestled for The Crash in Mexico. There, he defeated DMT Azul for the Crash Heavyweight Title. Meanwhile, upcoming dates for WWC and Mucha Lucha have all been canceled.

Once again, earlier reports have said that WWE fired him and decided to just cut him “outright” as opposed to paying him “another 90 days to keep him from performing elsewhere.” That, of course, isn’t looking like the case now, especially if the reports of WWE sending a letter to AEW saying that they aren’t allowed to use him.

A Look Back At Andrade’s AEW Return

Andrade joined the Don Callis Family when he returned to the promotion on October 1, 2025. He reignited his feud with Kenny Omega, which looks like it’ll be on the back burner now. Anyway, after Omega was on the mic giving a speech about how it was the sixth anniversary of AEW Dynamite, the lights went out and then back on to reveal that Andrade El Idolo was back, and he attacked Omega.

Don Callis would then enter the ring and reveal that he was part of the stable. It was definitely shocking. This is his second time with the company. His first was between March 2021 to December 2023. Andrade would make his return to WWE a month later in January for the Royal Rumble. While there is some hope, things can all be fixed, and Andrade can return to the ring sooner rather than later, there is doubt that it will happen. It's a shame, too, seeing someone with so much talent being benched.