Report: WWE could be keeping Andrade out of the ring for longer than three months

During the six-year anniversary edition of AEW Dynamite, Andrade made his return to AEW. However, he has not appeared on AEW television since coming back to the company.

WWE reportedly sent a cease and desist letter to AEW, claiming Andrade was still under a 90-day contractual period following his release. According to Fightful Select, the move caused confusion within both companies, as most believed Andrade had been fully released and was free to sign elsewhere. After his WWE exit, Andrade began taking independent bookings and later signed with AEW, believing he was a free agent. His representatives had communicated with AEW President Tony Khan, and the two reportedly met in person on the day of Andrade’s AEW return.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com noted that “the word making it’s way in lucha circles today is that Andrade could be kept out of ring for one year by WWE contractually due to breach of his WWE deal when he was terminated.” PWInsider also reported that Andrade will not be getting paid during the 90-day period. Fightful was told by multiple people that Andrade has a “very good lawyer” but didn’t specify if he was going to challenge WWE in court.

Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline.com stated the following about the situation…

“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.”