Dave Meltzer cautioned that TKO’s approach to WWE talent leaves no room for loyalty, noting that years of service will not protect anyone’s spot in the company.
In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer drew a direct comparison between WWE’s current direction and how UFC was handled under the TKO umbrella:
“TKO didn’t have any loyalty to the people who built UFC and they aren’t going to have loyalty to those in WWE aside from the Cena types who are very valuable to be part of the brand.”
That warning carries added weight in the wake of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods leaving the promotion. While both spent over a decade with WWE, they departed in May after turning down restructured contracts.
PWInsider reported at the time that TKO had adopted a more aggressive cost-cutting approach, as several other roster members also received reduced pay offers.
Speaking publicly this week, Kingston revealed that WWE’s proposed pay cut was greater than 50%. He and Woods, now competing as Austin Creed, also noted that the company offered them diminished roles and gave no explanation for the changes to their contract terms.
Those exits brought an end to two of the promotion’s longest continuous tenures. Kingston had been with WWE since 2006, while Woods signed in 2010.
Months later, the former multi-time tag team champions made an unannounced AEW debut as The New Level at All In: London on August 30.