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WWE’s Controversial Contract Negotiation Tactics Revealed Following Karrion Kross’ Exit

By Monika Thapa • Published Aug 21, 2025 14:25 EDT
karrion kross wwe

Karrion Kross quietly exited WWE on August 10, 2025, after his contract expired and the Stamford-based company failed to provide a satisfactory renewal offer.

Kross revealed he only received an offer days before his deal ended, with WWE refusing to share how they valued his contract. When he sought clarification, the promotion gave him a strict 24-hour deadline to take it or leave it. They later withdrew the offer when he hesitated.

Karrion Kross and his wife, Scarlett, were removed from WWE’s internal roster simultaneously. The abrupt departure has fueled speculation about WWE’s negotiation tactics and how the company manages talent they consider less vital.

OnWrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer explained that WWE’s contract strategy varies depending on how much they value a talent. For wrestlers deemed “marginal” or replaceable, WWE delays negotiations until the last minute, then presents a take-it-or-leave-it offer with a strict deadline.

Meltzer noted that before Karrion Kross’ situation, he was told this approach was standard practice for less prioritized wrestlers. However, for stars who are valuable to the company, WWE makes sure to sign them in advance, way before their contract expiration date.

“The idea is when it’s someone who they don’t care about, how do they do it? You know, before the thing started, I mean, I was absolutely told that like this is how—if it’s a marginal person—they will wait to the end and then they will make an offer and they will give a time frame: take it or leave it, this is your offer. And I was told that before the Kross thing.”

“If you’re a star, if they see you as a star, they’re going to try to sign you six months ahead. Okay, that’s how it is. Sometimes it doesn’t work that way—Drew McIntyre, obviously they tried to sign him way early. He turned down offers, eventually signed, though he was always going to sign. He was never going anywhere else. But, you know, he upped his value essentially by having some really good months in the Punk feud and everything like that.”

Meltzer also commented on Karrion Kross publicly talking about his situation during his contract negotiations and insinuated that it was a bad move on his part.

“If you’re still in talks with them, I don’t think you’re going to tell this story. It would seem to be absolutely stupid business to tell the story if you’re still in talks with them.” [H/T Ringside News]

Karrion Kross’ Post-WWE Opponent Has Been Announced

The ex-WWE star, who now goes by the name Killer Kross, will appear at a DEFY show on September 19, though his opponent is yet to be announced. He is also booked to wrestle Richard Holliday at WrestlePro’s Killer Smokeshow on September 21, 2025, in Rahway, NJ. Kross’ last match outside WWE was against Davey Boy Smith Jr. at JCP Ric Flair’s Last Match Pay-Per-View, which took place at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.