Add as a preferred source on Google TKO has been ramping up a new financial policy behind the scenes in WWE, with the focus largely on talent signed to high-salary deals who do not appear on television often.
According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, several wrestlers have been approached about renegotiating their contracts for lower pay. The information surfaced after Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods left the company, reportedly after rejecting a salary restructuring before mutually agreeing to part ways.
Meanwhile, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported that one talent accepted a 50% pay cut. The name was not revealed, but Meltzer said it was not someone at the absolute top of the company.
Meltzer also noted that some names recently received raises, while others were approached about reductions. The feeling backstage is that WWE has made the divide even clearer between those it considers essential and those who can be replaced or kept only under new terms.
The New Day’s exit carried extra weight because Kingston and Woods had renewed their contracts roughly a year ago. During his farewell, Kingston even advised fans to never accept less than what they believe they are worth, a line many saw as a reference to the situation.
Along with Kingston and Woods, JC Mateo and Tonga Loa also left WWE over the weekend.
WWE has not officially commented on the matter. TKO will release its first-quarter financial results on Wednesday, May 6.