WWE & AEW Rumours: Andrade El Idolo Has 1-Year WWE Non-Compete, Jacob Fatu Injured

Andrade El Idolo could be gone from All Elite Wrestling for up to one year due to a non-compete clause in his WWE contract that was activated when he was fired with cause.

Jacob Fatu, meanwhile, has suffered an injury and is expected to be out of action until well into 2026.

Pro wrestling rumours for October 17, 2025:

Andrade El Idolo Has 1-Year Non-Compete Clause Following WWE Release

Since it emerged that Andrade El Idolo's disappearance from All Elite Wrestling was related to a non-compete clause with WWE and WWE sending a legal letter to AEW, it has been reported by Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer that Andrade is subject to a one-year non-compete clause due to being fired with cause by WWE.

Fightful Select has reported the language in the contract clause is as follows:

"(b) Upon termination of this Agreement by PROMOTER for breach of the terms hereof, WRESTLER shall not work, appear, or perform in any capacity for any professional wrestling, sports entertainment, mixed martial arts and/or ultimate fighting organization, promotion or entity not owned or controlled by PROMOTER (or any affiliated or subsidiary company thereof) in the United States for a period of up to one (1) year from the date of such expiration or termination, as specified by PROMOTER in the notice of termination; provided, however, that if no lesser period is specified by PROMOTER in the notice of termination, such period shall be one (1) year."

The follow-up to the clause notes:

"12.4 In no circumstances, whatsoever, shall either party to this Agreement be liable to the other party for any punitive or exemplary damages; and all such damages, whether arising out of the breach of this Agreement or otherwise, are expressly waived."

PWInsider has reported the belief is that Andrade is not being paid by WWE during the non-compete clause.

It is believed that the clause would not hold up in court should Andrade pursue legal action. Fightful reported that Andrade has a "very good lawyer."

WWE implemented the one-year non-compete clause, according to PWInsider, as the company did not want to create a situation whereby a talent could be fired for violating company policy and then work somewhere else the next day.

WWE & AEW Reaction To Andrade El Idolo Having A 1-Year Non-Compete Clause

Fightful Select has reported that news of Andrade's non-compete clause was met with shock by people within WWE. There is no bad blood towards Andrade within AEW over the situation and the plan is for him to work with Tony Khan's promotion when he is able to do so.

Tony Khan addressed Andrade El Idolo's AEW status during the pre-WrestleDream media call, saying:

"Well, I would echo sentiments I had said at AEW Worlds End 2023, when Andrade initially left a few years ago. And I would say that I have a ton of respect for Andrade El Idolo. I think he’s an amazing wrestler, and I think that when he left in 2023, it was on a very high note. Just to reiterate everything I said at his departure a few years ago. I still feel that way, and I think Andrade is a great wrestler. And I'm excited to see what's next for him. I would leave it at that."

After being asked directly about the non-compete, Khan added: "Yeah, I would just echo the sentiments again when Andre had initially left in 2023. I have a ton of respect for him, and I'm saying as much as I can say about it, but I appreciate you asking. I am excited to see what's next for him. Again, this is somebody that I think is just an incredible wrestler. I really enjoyed working with him in the past, and I'm excited to see what's next for him."

H/T Fightful

Jacob Fatu Expected To Be Out Of Action Until 'Well Into 2026'

Another of WWE's top stars has joined Seth Rollins on the sidelines, with BodySlam reporting that Jacob Fatu is currently suffering from a non-wrestling-related injury. He is expected to be out of action until possibly "well into 2026."

The exact nature of Fatu's injury is unknown, but the injury is serious enough that all plans for Fatu have been halted. The former United States Champion had recently begun a feud with Drew McIntyre.

WWE Main Roster Call-Ups Planned For SmackDown

SmackDown has been one of pro wrestling's weaker weekly shows in 2025, and it recently emerged that changes were planned for the blue brand's creative team, with Road Dogg remaining in place as the co-head writer.

That isn't the only change, though, and WRKD Wrestling has reported that the expectation is there will be main roster call-ups to SmackDown "sooner rather than later" to help freshen up the product and combat recent injuries.

"Expect to see some call ups to the Smackdown roster sooner rather than later to fill some of the gaps left by recent injuries and to help freshen up the product," WRKD Wrestling tweeted.

The IInspiration Working Without TNA Contracts

The IInspiration's contracts with TNA Wrestling have expired following Bound For Glory, with Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay only signing short-term deals with the promotion earlier this year.

Both sides are interested in continuing to work together and The IInspiration are expected to sign new deals with TNA, Fightful Select has reported.

The results of Bound For Glory suggested the two sides would continue working together as Lee and McKay successfully defended the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championships against The Elegance Brand at the pay-per-view.