Former WWE Star Reveals They Were Asked To Take 56% Pay Cut

WWE

A former WWE star has revealed that they were asked to take a 56% pay cut by the company prior to their departure.

Back in May, it was announced that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of the New Day had left WWE, bringing to an end a near 20 year career in the company for Kofi, and a 15 year career for Woods.

One of the reported reasons for their departure was due to WWE and TKO asking them to take what was reported as a 50% pay cut.

Ridge Holland Was Asked To Take 56% Pay Cut

During an appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show on Tuesday, Kofi would reveal that the pay cut they were offered was actually more than 50%.

Responding to Kofi’s comments, former WWE star Ridge Holland (Luke Menzies) revealed that he was asked to take a 56% pay cut prior to his departure from the company.

He wrote:

Honestly I think I may have been the first to experience the new TKO version of “contract Negotiations”

56% paycut…. OUCH!

Holland initially noted that WWE had opted not to renew his contract at the end of his deal, though they later released him from his contract after comments he had made on social media.

When Will TKO Rethink Their Negotiation Strategy?

With TKO taking control of WWE, the decision makers in WWE are now a number of businessmen who see the wrestlers on the roster as numbers on a spreadsheet rather than as actual wrestlers that contribute to the product.

This year alone we have seen the New Day leave WWE and debut as the New Level in AEW, as well as Sheamus also rejecting a ‘restructured’ contract with the company, being free and clear on October 1.

As more names continue to leave the company, it’s becoming clear that TKO’s current strategy in regards to re-signing talent on the roster should be altered or else risk losing other important names on the roster.

Bayley is one name whose contract is coming up soon, with major speculation about her future and what she may choose to do.

Bayley is a name whose value to WWE exceeds whatever her ROI may show on TKO’s spreadsheet, and losing her would be a genuine disaster for the women’s roster, but with the way TKO is currently operating, it seems a very real possibility.

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• wwe
• Ridge Holland
• luke menzies

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