Add as a preferred source on Google Sami Zayn has become the center of a new rumor following the end of his short reign as Undisputed WWE Champion, which came to a close this week when CM Punk defeated him on Monday Night RAW.
The speculation started on the Kliq This podcast, when Sean Oliver suggested that Zayn’s title win could have been a form of compensation after he agreed to a 50 percent pay cut. Kevin Nash, however, said he didn’t know whether the wrestler’s salary had actually been reduced.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Zayn’s name had come up internally, but it was never confirmed.
“His name was brought up internally to me, but never as 100 percent, and based on what WWE told me directly when it came to pay cuts, their version is that everyone asked were guys who were going to be cut because creative had nothing for them, but they would give them a new deal at a decreased rate to see if something popped up. Zayn was a guy always used, unlike a Ridge Holland, New Day, Sheamus or others who were not being used when asked to take the cut. But this would not be the first, or fifth for that matter, time his name didn’t come up in speculation on that subject.”
Dave Meltzer on rumours that Sami Zayn was asked to take a pay cut by WWE following WrestleMania 42:
— Cultaholic Wrestling (@Cultaholic) July 10, 2026
"His name was brought up internally to me but never as 100 percent, and based on what WWE told me directly when it came to pay cuts, their version is that everyone asked were… pic.twitter.com/iQroPCli5R
Following WrestleMania 42, it was revealed that a high-profile talent had agreed to a 50 percent pay cut, though that person’s identity was never confirmed. Other names were given just a few days to decide between a new deal at a lower rate or a possible exit from the company.
In Zayn’s case, the theory loses steam given how consistently he’s been used. He won the world title on June 27 at Night of Champions, defeating Cody Rhodes and Gunther, before dropping the title to Punk just nine days later.
On top of that, Punk’s win was reportedly already planned well before Zayn’s reign even began. In other words, as of now, there’s no confirmation that the Canadian star agreed to any kind of pay cut.