Update on the WWE talent pay cut story following the news of New Day’s departure

On May 2nd 2026, it was reported that The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) mutually agreed to part ways with WWE. It was noted by Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline that the two men “were asked to restructure” their contracts, but they didn’t like the deals, so they were then granted their release.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com noted that a “pretty majorly pushed talent” in WWE allegedly agreed to take a 50% pay cut. Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com provided the following update on Johnson’s story…

“I can’t say more than that is believed to be the case and the person is not a tippy top person. There have been recent raises and there have been people asked to take cuts. I think it’s very clear who they see as the top people and none of them have been asked to take a cut.”

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com also stated that “a number of people were asked to take pay cuts.”

A number of people were asked to take pay cuts https://t.co/SGeTmIrpGP

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) May 4, 2026