Wrestling Observer Radio is reporting WWE has issued a cease and desist letter to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The legal notice concerns the recent appearance of Andrade El Idolo on AEW programming, which is alleged to be a violation of a non-compete clause following his dismissal from WWE in the summer of 2025.
Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez spoke on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio about the subject:
"Here’s what I heard. I don’t know what’s going on with Andrade but I was told that he’s not hurt. He didn’t get himself fired. Apparently something is up involving his WWE non-compete…I was given the impression it could be something that could be resolved quickly or it could be something that might not be resolved for a while, but it’s something related to the non-compete. When he was fired, remember we were told they [WWE] didn’t care," Bryan Alvarez said.
"That is what I’ve been hearing was WWE sent a letter and they [AEW] obviously didn’t know. AEW obviously believed that there was no non-compete. There were people who talked to people in WWE who also believed there was no non-compete but WWE apparently, you know, that’s the story that they said he can’t do them for 90 days," added Dave Meltzer.
Andrade's second tenure with WWE concluded abruptly when he was released on September 14, 2025. Reports at the time indicated the departure was not mutual but a disciplinary action from the company. The release followed a tumultuous period for the superstar, which included at least one supposed wellness policy violation that led to a suspension without pay.
The heart of the dispute is the standard 90-day non-compete clause included in WWE main roster contracts. This clause prevents a superstar from appearing for a competing promotion for that period after their departure, during which WWE continues to pay their salary. Andrade made his surprise return to AEW in early October, well within the 90-day window of his September firing. His appearance on AEW programming seemingly triggered the legal action from WWE.