Further details have emerged regarding the decision to release Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods from their WWE deals.
On May 2, news broke that the veteran duo had been let go by the company. Shortly afterwards, news broke that Woods and Kingston left as they were asked to take a lower deal. The former Tag Team Champions were not alone, as others were reportedly asked to take a cut, with one star accepting a 50% reduction in salary.
As reported by Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the New Day members were one year into a 5-year deal when they received the news. Additionally, there were plans to release Woods and Kingston, but were offered less money to remain as part of a restructuring:
“The New Day, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods, who were on the list of those without significant future plans, were essentially put in the position where they were going to be cut, but were offered less money to stay, wind down their in-ring careers and finish their current contract doing some in-ring and working in a promotional capacity.”
“They both decided to leave the promotion, given they had signed a five year-contract in 2025 at a certain number and one year in were being asked to have that money cut back while maintaining the rest of the contract.”
Xavier Woods And Kofi Kingston Refused WWE Pay Cut – How Many Took The Deal?
More insight regarding the previously reported pay cuts was also provided. It is noted that less than half a dozen accepted the reduced deal, with it being noted that they would have been cut if they didn’t agree. It was also noted that the stars in question were not featured in the main event:
“While there have been talks of large numbers asked to take pay cuts, those in a position to know have said that the number is less than a half dozen, and they were people who would have been cut had they not accepted it.“
“They were not the high end players and were people that creative had tabbed little interest in going forward and thus the idea is they could remain under contract while their in-ring aspect of their career would be phased down.“
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have since made statements on their WWE departures.
Featured image: WWE
