Alberto Del Rio-WWE Confidential Legal Settlement Story !

A confidential legal settlement has been reached between Alberto Rodriguez, formerly Alberto Del Rio, and WWE, regarding his non-complete clause.

The belief is the sides agreed that Rodriguez, 37, would agree to make no more remarks publicly talking negatively about WWE, most notably the subject of racial jokes or implying insensitivity of top officers in the company, and in return he got a financial settlement that includes his non-compete clause being dropped.

Rodriguez on Twitter put out a joint statement with WWE stating, “Following my departure from WWE, an understanding was reached with regards to my future booking opportunities. We wish each other well in our respective future endeavors.”

According to sources close to the situation, WWE was very conscious toward any potential public reaction tying them in with racism against Hispanics, given Hispanics make up about 20 percent of the U.S. audience and Mexico is one of the company’s top international markets. At a press conference before the recent Mexico City show, it was said that the press conference was more them bringing out the new Sin Cara and have him talk about all the opportunities he was given and it came across like they were trying to push that they weren’t racist more than promoting the shows or the new station they started with.

Another source close to the talks said that there was a last minute change. At one point, the joint settlement was expected to include a WWE apology for inappropriate remarks. The source said WWE agreed, but then in its written settlement agreement, took that out of the deal. The story is that Rodriguez had already agreed to the monetary settlement and complete freedom to work anywhere he wanted, so he didn’t press the apology. There may have been some sympathy because the apology would have essentially been a public admission that higher-ups in WWE were making racially insensitive remarks, and that going public in 2014 could be bad for the company.

Rodriguez had done media interviews in Mexico, as well as the U.K., talking about racial jokes said by top executives. The original Sin Cara had said the same thing in Mexico, but noted that he didn’t believe that had anything to do with his WWE run not being a success. Rey Mysterio had remained quiet through this period although it is well known WWE wanted him to return and speak for the company.

Those close to the situation said WWE had offered Rodriguez his job back. Part of the reason he was let go was a fear of a lawsuit by former Social Media manager Cody Barbierri, who Rodriguez allegedly slapped. Rodriguez has admitted the circumstances, that a social media manager made a racial remark (at catering, when someone told Barbierri he should clean off his plate, he said, “that’s what Del Rio is here for”), he asked for an apology, the person smirked and didn’t, and he slapped him. Barbierri has just left WWE and one would expect that all loose ends regarding potential legal action were taken care of before his departure. Part of the reason Rodriguez was let go rather than just fined was believed to be because of the potential for a lawsuit by Barbierri.

Rodriguez noted that he was told he would be brought back, but claimed he said when at the time of his being fired that he was not coming back if the situation wasn’t straightened out at the end of his phone call (believed to be with Paul Levesque). Several of the top WWE wrestlers went to management about wanting him back, but he himself declined the future offer at the time.

Rodriguez was given a one-year, unpaid, non-compete term from the date of his firing. It was highly unlikely such a term, even with the slap being a contract breach, would have held up in court.

Rodriguez had wrestled for AAA and on independent shows in Mexico, as well as for Wrestle-One in Japan, even with the non-compete in effect, with the feeling it would be unenforceable outside the U.S.

It is believed the settlement includes an agreement he would not sue the company, that he would no longer publicly talk negatively about the company, and that the non-compete would be dropped. He was seeking a settlement amount as well, but it is unclear if he got that or not. Because WWE owns the name Alberto Del Rio, he will use the name El Patron Alberto going forward. The settlement would appear to open the door for Rodriguez to start with the Lucha Underground promotion with its second run of tapings that start on 1/17.