Why The New Day Decided To Decline WWE Contract Adjustment

The latest report provided an update on why The New Day refused to restructure their WWE contract and decided to leave.

The New Day had been one of the most beloved stables since their formation back in 2014. Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, and Big E achieved so much prominence during their time in the faction. Even after Big E was out of the team due to injury in 2022, Kingston and Woods continued the team’s legacy. However, it was recently announced that Xavier and Kofi are leaving the WWE after spending a large chunk of their career in the promotion.

Following the WWE departure of both Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer had reported that the New Day were asked to restructure their existing deals and take a pay cut, which they refused, and decided to leave:

We can also confirm that in the case of New Day, it was their decision to leave based on what TKO was offering for a new deal. To be specific, New Day’s deals were not up. They were asked to restructure to TKO deals, they didn’t like the deals, so they were then granted their release.”

The real reason why The New Day left the WWE instead of restructuring their contracts

In the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that both Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were in position to be released from the WWE but were asked to take less money and stay until finishing their careers:

The New Day, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods, who were on the list of those without significant future plans, were essentially put in the position where they were going to be cut, but were offered less money to stay, wind down their in-ring careers and finish their current contract doing some in-ring and working in a promotional capacity.”

Dave Meltzer further noted that Woods and Kingston of the New Day decided to leave the Stamford-based promotion instead of taking the pay cut on their existing deals that they had signed in 2025:

They both decided to leave the promotion, given they had signed a five year-contract in 2025 at a certain number and one year in were being asked to have that money cut back while maintaining the rest of the contract.” [h/t Wrestling Observer]

The New Day, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods, who were on the list of those without significant future plans, were essentially put in the position where they were going to be cut, but were offered less money to stay with WWE, wind down their in-ring careers and finish their current… pic.twitter.com/gkZ2oMGhm3

— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) May 8, 2026

It remains to be seen what’s next for the New Day.

Also read: AEW Star Calls Out WWE Over The New Day’s Exit

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