Update On How Many WWE Superstars Were Asked To Take Pay Cuts
An update has been provided on how many wrestlers have been asked to take pay cuts by the WWE.
Nearly a week after the WrestleMania 42 weekend, more than 20 wrestlers got released from the WWE, including the likes of Aleister Black, Kairi Sane, Zelina Vega, Wyatt Sicks, and more. A few days later, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of the New Day left the company as they reportedly refused to take a pay cut on their existing contract.
It was also reported that several stars were asked to take a pay cut similar to the New Day. While the names of the stars who have been asked to take pay cuts are undisclosed as of now, the latest report gave an update on the number of stars who have been asked to restructure their contracts.
Number of WWE stars who would’ve been cut if they hadn’t taken a pay cut
In the most recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that fewer than half a dozen wrestlers have been asked to take a pay cut from the WWE. The people who were asked would’ve been released if they didn’t take the pay cut:
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 further noted that the names who were asked to take a pay cut have little interest from the company to go forward with, and there’s the idea that those names could stay under contract with their in-ring aspect phasing down:
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.“
Dave Meltzer also revealed that one major name has accepted a 50 per cent pay cut while reflecting on the wrestlers who would not fit in AEW:
There were reports, confirmed to us, that at least one major name wrestler agreed to a 50 percent pay cut. [h/t Wrestling Observer]
Meltzer concluded that there are some wrestlers in WWE who would not fit in AEW and are making 7 figures on their current deal, but wouldn’t get the same deal elsewhere.
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