Samantha Irvins Two-Year WWE Non-Compete Explained

While fans assumed Irvin left the company in 2024 to focus on her music career, thats not exactly the whole story. According to Sean Ross Sapp during a Fightful Select Q&A, Irvin actually signed a new WWE contract in early 2024 that came with a major pay bumpbut also a massive two-year non-compete clause thats still active until October 2026.

That raise came with strings attached. WWE reportedly wanted to get their moneys worth by making Irvin more visible on television, putting the camera on her frequently during broadcasts in an attempt to create viral moments.

Despite WWEs increased focus on her presentation, Irvin wasnt interested in continuing the ring announcing role, even after they scaled back other announcers to feature her more prominently.

Still, the companys lucrative offer was hard to turn down. Irvin acceptedbut in doing so, she also agreed to one of the lengthiest non-compete clauses in recent memory.

Sean explained that Irvins deal was never about jumping ship to another promotionit was about stepping away from announcing, not wrestling altogether. But her two-year non-compete means fans wont see her back in the business until late 2026.

As for what comes next, Sean suggested that Irvin could return to wrestling in a new rolepossibly even managing her real-life partner Ricochet once her contract restrictions are over.

He also noted that WWEs claim that Irvin left to pursue music wasnt exactly accuratemusic has always been part of her life, even while she was working for WWE.

Now a year into her non-compete, Irvin recently told fans on X that shes counting down until shes free to make her next move.

With her two-year non-compete set to expire in October 2026, fans now have a clearer picture of why Samantha Irvins return to wrestling has taken so longand what could be waiting for her when the countdown hits zero.

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