Report: Several WWE talent were only given two days to accept pay cuts or leave the company

On May 2nd 2026, it was reported that The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) mutually agreed to part ways with WWE. It is being reported by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com that on the day of the mass releases, WWE reportedly approached numerous talents and asked them to accept pay cuts in order to remain with the company, with some being given only two days to make a decision. It’s believed that The New Day made their choice quickly, opting to leave rather than accept reduced deals—walking away from millions of dollars that would have been owed over the next four years.

Sapp noted the following…

“Fightful Select has learned a joint statement on The New Day’s exit was planned internally in WWE, but for unknown reasons, it never happened. We’re told WWE did express their appreciation privately.”

According to sources within the talent and agent communities, WWE’s latest round of roster cuts and requested pay reductions is expected to have a major impact on how wrestlers negotiate future deals with TKO and WWE, with many reportedly losing confidence that long-term contracts will be honored through their full terms.

Fightful Select has learned a joint statement on The New Day’s exit was planned internally in WWE, but for unknown reasons, it never happened.

We’re told WWE did express their appreciation privately. pic.twitter.com/FKeReWX5BZ

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) May 5, 2026