What started as the shocking departure of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods has now unravelled into something much larger. Multiple WWE superstars have reportedly taken significant pay cuts as part of a sweeping contract restructuring under TKO Group Holdings — and according to those in the know, this is just the beginning
Table of Contents
WWE Contract Restructuring — Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Triggered By | TKO Group Holdings contract restructuring |
| High-Profile Departure | The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) |
| Reason for Their Exit | Refused new contract terms, granted release |
| Others Who Accepted? | Yes — multiple unnamed talents |
| Reported Biggest Cut | 50% pay cut for a “majorly pushed” star |
| Top Stars Affected? | No — “top people” reportedly spared |
| Total Releases (post-Mania) | ~29 superstars |
| More Cuts Coming? | Yes, confirmed by multiple insiders |
WWE: More Than Just The New Day
On May 2, 2026, it was reported that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods mutually parted ways with WWE after being asked to restructure their contracts under new terms they didn’t accept. But the real story was what came next.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful confirmed that not one but multiple WWE wrestlers had been asked to renegotiate their contracts at a lower salary than what they were currently earning. And unlike The New Day, several of them said yes.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio confirmed the broader picture, noting that several talents did agree to the pay reductions, though he couldn’t confirm exactly who or how many. Perhaps most strikingly, PWInsider reported that a “pretty majorly pushed” WWE talent was asked to take a 50% pay cut and allegedly agreed to the deal. khelnow
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This Is a Business Decision, Not a Punishment
To understand what’s happening, you have to look at the bigger picture. WrestleVotes confirmed during a Q&A that the restructuring is ongoing and will continue, with the focus appearing to be on talents who are making significant money but appearing on television less frequently. khelnow
Meltzer also clarified that the situation isn’t uniformly negative — there have been recent raises for some, and none of the company’s top-tier names have been asked to take cuts. It’s a targeted cost-management exercise, not a blanket salary slash.
WWE, now operating under the publicly listed TKO Group Holdings alongside UFC, is clearly under pressure to streamline its talent costs in a more corporate, financially accountable environment. The days of legacy contracts going unchallenged appear to be over.
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The Numbers Are Only Growing
The departure of The New Day comes amid a broader wave of WWE releases, with JC Mateo and Tonga Loa also being let go, bringing the total number of talents departing the company over the past two weeks to around 29. khelnow
Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Radio ominously suggested the cuts may not be finished, hinting that more names from the first wave of discussions are still on the roster. The full scale of this restructuring remains unclear — but it’s safe to say the locker room is paying close attention.
❓ FAQs
Q: Why did Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods leave WWE?
A: The New Day were asked to restructure their contracts under new TKO terms, declined the new deal, and were subsequently granted their release from WWE.
Q: How many WWE superstars have been released after WrestleMania in 2026?
A: Approximately 29 superstars have departed WWE in the weeks following WrestleMania, as part of the broader TKO-driven contract restructuring wave.
