New details have emerged regarding Andrade El Idolo’s status following his reported walkout from The Crash’s 14th-anniversary show in Tijuana, Mexico, on Friday, November 7. Andrade was present for the event’s meet-and-greet but did not appear on the show and left the venue.
Initial Report on Walkout
The initial report on the incident came from Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, who noted that Andrade left the building because he was dissatisfied, though the specific reason was unknown. At the time, Meltzer noted that this was possible because Andrade’s non-compete clause with WWE was believed to be limited to the United States.
“Andrade was on the show, probably the main attraction on the show. He was there signing autographs, and then he left. The only thing that we heard was that he was unhappy,” Meltzer said. “His non-compete is only [in the] United States so he can work in Tijuana [and] Mexico City.”
Update on Contract Status
However, in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer provided a significant update that contradicts the initial belief about his contract. It is now being claimed by some close to the situation that Andrade’s non-compete clause may be worldwide, which would explain his lack of bookings in Mexico or any other country.
“Andrade was announced for the show. He did the meet and greet but wasn’t on the show itself. There was a report that he left unhappy after the meet and greet but also claims he wasn’t wrestling on the show so there was no reason to stay for the show. There are those now claiming that his non-compete is worldwide and not just for the United States, which does make sense given he’s wrestled nowhere outside the U.S. either. There is also no way that would hold up in court if he tried to challenge it.”
Andrade’s AEW Disappearance
He was reportedly fired “with cause” by WWE in September due to multiple wellness policy violations and is under a one-year non-compete clause. Andrade returned to AEW on the October 1 episode of Dynamite. However, he “disappeared” from television shortly after, following a legal letter WWE sent to AEW regarding his non-compete clause. It has since been noted that AEW announcers have been directed not to mention Andrade on programming.
