Overview
- Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods posted farewell messages Monday, confirming their departures after reports they were asked to restructure their contracts.
- Fightful reports that on April 24, the day mass releases were executed, WWE’s parent TKO approached numerous wrestlers to take reduced pay and gave several just two days to decide.
- PWInsider reported a “pretty majorly pushed” talent was asked to accept a 50% salary cut and allegedly did so, and multiple outlets say similar requests reached others.
- Fightful says WWE planned a joint statement on The New Day’s exit that never ran, with the company instead expressing appreciation to Kingston and Woods in private.
- New executive pay figures disclosed May 5 showing large increases for TKO leaders intensified backlash to the cost‑cutting push, and agents now expect less confidence that big contracts will run their full term.