There’s an update on how many talents WWE asked to take a pay cut.
In addition to releasing multiple talents after WrestleMania 42, WWE also reportedly asked several superstars to take significant pay cuts. Reports then noted that many wrestlers accepted the reductions, including a “majorly-pushed talent” who took a 50% pay cut. The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods chose to leave the promotion due to this issue.
Now, F4WOnline‘s Dave Meltzer noted on the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that those “in a position to know” have said the number of wrestlers WWE asked to take a pay cut is less than six and that the promotion would’ve let them go if they had not accepted.
“While there have been talks of large numbers asked to take pay cuts, those in a position to know have said that the number is less than a half dozen, and they were people who would have been cut had they not accepted it,“ Meltzer wrote.
“They were not the high end players and were people that creative had tabbed little interest in going forward and thus the idea is they could remain under contract while their in-ring aspect of their career would be phased down.”
Meltzer confirmed one major WWE name took a 50% pay cut
Dave Meltzer also confirmed that one major name in WWE agreed to a 50% pay cut, and wrestlers who may not be a fit in AEW have limited leverage.
“There were reports, confirmed to us, that at least one major name wrestler agreed to a 50 percent pay cut. There are wrestlers who would not fit in AEW and are making well into seven figures, many in excess of $2 million per year, who simply couldn’t earn anywhere near $1 million elsewhere, so the leverage isn’t there.”
Meltzer then addressed the Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods situation, saying WWE/TKO offered them a new deal with less pay, which would’ve seen them finish their current contracts, winding down their in-ring careers, and work in a promotional capacity by the end. However, the New Day members declined the offer.
“The New Day, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods, who were on the list of those without significant future plans, were essentially put in the position where they were going to be cut, but were offered less money to stay, wind down their in-ring careers and finish their current contract doing some in-ring and working in a promotional capacity.
“They both decided to leave the promotion, given they had signed a five year-contract in 2025 at a certain number and one year in were being asked to have that money cut back while maintaining the rest of the contract.”
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