WWE may have to change its protocol due to new legislation that has passed.
When a wrestler has been released from their contract, many are aware of the non-compete that is in place following their termination. With WWE main roster stars subject to 90 days and NXT stars subject to 30, released talents are unable to appear for another promotion until this period expires. Although this practice has been in place for a number of years, a new ruling may see this come to an end.
On April 23rd, the Federal Trade Commission approved the ban of noncompete agreements. The vote was passed 3-2 and is described by The Huffington Post as “giving more leverage in the job market to millions of U.S. workers.”
When the ban was first proposed in 2023, Chairperson of the Federal Trade Commission Lina Khan said the following:
“Noncompetes block workers from freely switching jobs, depriving them of higher wages and better working conditions, and depriving businesses of a talent pool that they need to build and expand.”
The noncompete model has been criticised for stifling American workers, especially those on a lower income. If the ban is put into effect, workers are able to work for a competitor as soon as their current employment ends without a lengthy period of inactivity in between, which can be months or years depending on the employer. With contracted WWE talent, this would mean that they would be able to appear at the next taping of a rival show just days after their contract was terminated.
The ban is expected to be contested with The U.S. Chamber of Commerce calling the move “blatantly unlawful.” Additionally, business groups are expected to contest the ruling as they argue that noncompetes protect their intellectual property and investments they have made in training employees.
Another WWE Star Announces Release
On April 23rd, Cameron Grimes announced via social media that he had been released from his contract. Grimes joins multiple WWE stars including Jinder Mahal and Xia Li as those released from their contracts.