WWE Locker Room Reaction To Recent Pay Cuts
Fightful Select has released a new report discussing the WWE locker room reaction to recent pay cuts.
The report noted TKO instructed WWE to cut costs from its payroll, which led to the recent roster purge. Talent were asked to take significant pay cuts to remain with the company, with many given only two days to either accept the terms or leave.
It was also reported that the Stamford-based company approached several wrestlers during overseas tours about new deals. In some cases, the offers came much earlier than expected, potentially pressuring them to make decisions without proper evaluation.
These negotiation tactics have reportedly changed how talent view contracts with WWE and TKO. According to Fightful Select, some now believe that deals may not last their full term and could be altered midway, making future negotiations more uncertain.
“This round of cuts and paycuts will likely cause heavy changes in how talent negotiate contracts with TKO and WWE moving forward.…there is very little confidence that the life-changing, big money deals that a lot of wrestlers sign will see through the life of the deals.”
WWE Releases Could Benefit AEW, Hurt Talent Value
The report added that talent such as Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Santos Escobar, among others, had recently signed new deals but were still asked to renegotiate, leading to frustration.
This frustration stems from the fact that they signed with the Stamford-based company without exploring opportunities with promotions like All Elite Wrestling, which has now reduced their leverage after being released.
From a competitive standpoint, the mass releases and pay cuts have also been criticized. Some believe that by lowering talent value, the Stamford-based company may make it easier for AEW to sign released wrestlers at a lower cost, something that could work against WWE’s broader competitive interests.
“New Day, Santos Escobar and others had just signed new deals… Now with WWE cutting them and their pay, it effectively reduces their leverage.…it wasn’t even smart from a competitive standpoint because you would think that WWE would want AEW to have to spend more money for talent.” [H/T Ringside News]
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