Recently some big changes have been taking place behind the scenes as a number of WWE stars have been released and other names are reportedly being asked to take pay cuts. It was recently reported that The New Day mutually agreed to part ways with WWE after they declined to restructure their deals, and it was also recently reported that a “majorly pushed” talent agreed to take a 50% pay cut.
Bryan Alvarez recently noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that he was told there are several people in WWE who were asked to take pay cuts, and took them.
“I’ve been told there were several people who were asked to take pay cuts and they took them. I don’t know how many. I don’t know who. Obviously the New Day was asked and they did not want to renegotiate and so they have gotten their release. Apparently there were some others who did end up renegotiating, and probably as time goes on there will be more of these. In fact, there definitely will be,” Alvarez said.
Dave Meltzer went on to say that there was at least one talent who could have gone to All Elite Wrestling and made a lot of money with the company, but instead took a pay cut to stay with WWE.
“I know one guy in this situation, he could go to AEW and he could make a lot of money in AEW, but he did take a pretty big pay cut to stay. The reason you would be asked to renegotiate is because the contract you signed was when they perceived you as being far more valuable than they perceive you as being now. That’s why they would renegotiate a contract. In the case of the person, it’s someone who would fit into that category, and the reason was not that he’s not good or not that he’s not great, but that they creatively didn’t take advantage of what they had, I would say is the best way of putting it. But he accepted it, he didn’t take the risk or whatever it is of going elsewhere. It’s still a lot of money, you could say that.”