Roman Reigns, one of WWE’s most dominant and highest-paid superstars, has not been seen on WWE programming since the RAW episode following WrestleMania 41, raising significant speculation about his future with the company. His prolonged absence is notable given his previous status as the Undisputed WWE Champion and the centerpiece of The Bloodline storyline. This sudden disappearance from TV screens has sparked rumors that the newly merged TKO Group, which oversees WWE, is reconsidering his lucrative contract due to cost-cutting measures.
Reports indicate that Roman Reigns currently earns around $15 million annually, including base salary, pay-per-view bonuses, royalties from WWE video games, merchandise sales, and special event bonuses, such as those for appearances in Saudi Arabia. However, TKO is reportedly unwilling to maintain this high salary, especially given Reigns’ part-time schedule. Industry insiders suggest that while the company is unlikely to release him outright, they are unwilling to continue paying him at his current rate, signaling potential contract renegotiations or even a possible departure if an agreement cannot be reached6.
Reigns’ absence coincides with his increasing involvement in acting projects outside WWE, including roles in the upcoming “Street Fighter” movie as Akuma and the Amazon Prime Video film “The Pickup,” both set to release in August. This shift towards Hollywood could be a factor in his reduced wrestling schedule and may hint at his intentions to diversify his career beyond the squared circle.
The storyline ramifications within WWE have also been significant. At WrestleMania 41, Reigns was betrayed by his longtime advocate Paul Heyman, and since then, his character has been referred to as being on the “island of irrelevance” by Seth Rollins on SmackDown. The tension within The Bloodline faction has escalated, with Solo Sikoa appearing alongside Jacob Fatu and JC Mateo, further complicating the narrative and perhaps reflecting backstage uncertainties about Reigns’ status.
In summary, Roman Reigns’ future in WWE appears uncertain amid TKO’s reluctance to uphold his high salary and his growing commitments outside wrestling. While he is not officially released, the financial scrutiny and his absence from WWE programming since the post-WrestleMania Raw suggest that he may be on the verge of leaving or at least significantly reducing his in-ring role. Fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see if Reigns returns for major events like SummerSlam or if his Hollywood career will take precedence going forward.
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