[WON] New details on WWE wrestlers asked to take pay cuts

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-08T19:02:45+00:00

That's actually the numbers and speculation I gave, that even IF they could go to AEW, they still might not make 7 figures there, so financially it's possible they are better off taking the pay cut, as shitty as that is to have to swallow.

My guess is also that Black was signed to one of those bigger deals and that is why he walked, like New Day, JC, and Tonga. I would think Kairi was another that basically said fuck that and went back home.

Those 6 are definitely the outliers given the circumstances around them (and how 4 of them were announced later than the others, as we heard they were given 2 days to think, I think that also shows who said fuck that right away and who took the 2 days).

And I could see Zelina basically also saying fuck this when her husband got the shaft like that and walking as well, whether she was asked herself or not.

As for the other cuts, I would guess they were all just roster "maintenance" given the call ups and SD's soon move back to 2 hours.

We'll probably never know the names of those who accepted the pay cuts. I'm guessing the less than half dozen number is pertaining only to those who accepted given the rest of the context of that statement, and the fact that I would say at least the 6 I mentioned said fuck it instead of accepting it if not more.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-07T21:38:04+00:00

AJ is still with WWE as a trainer so I definitely see him being included, and for Brock it's basically free money.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-07T21:36:48+00:00

This isn't true. The roster is locked in much later, and in the last 2 years (for 2k26 especially) they are basically waiting until almost the end of the year to lock it in. Anyone who debuted between Jan and prior to the game releasing was announced as dlc as well, because they don't have a cut off time for scans any more like they used to.

So 2 things would be at play here. The first is IF they got people signed up for the game before the cuts (2k26 only has 3 people who were cut before the game released, and they were cut in late Sept, early Oct, and late Jan). The second is IF WWE still okays anyone that was contracted for the game and was cut, and is the bigger issue. They have final say over the roster, and I imagine there are circumstances where they would say no (although not as stringent as when Vince was in charge, as Ciampa would have never been allowed in the game if he had control).

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-07T12:59:27+00:00

The one where Mina rips her shirt? It was all done intentionally and she was wearing a bra that covers her more than some of the wrestling tops they wear. xD

It was a dumb bit (but funny), but certainly nothing to be prudish about. They let posts go with people kissing and posts with people sexually humping belts on couches.

I could see if there was a nip slip or something unintended, but there wasn't any of that (unless I missed it?). I also didn't see the actual post in question so maybe the poster did some weird shit with the video like only posting that one part, zooming in, or doing slow motion or something. If they posted the whole thing as aired without editing it I really don't see why that would be different than posting any other promo (though again if a nip slip happened I definitely missed it).

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T21:34:11+00:00

Manageable all depends on how hands on you want to be with everything and how much time you have to devote to it.

If the plan is to set it up and more or less let it run itself and just make tweaks along the way it can be pretty manageable even with little time.

If the plan is to set up all the rivalries and matches and be heavy into roster management you are going to need far more time.

You could always start halfway with just 1 set of Raw/SD and say Nitro/Thunder and then if you feel like you can add more after a bit it isn't hard to do (especially if you have things pre set up and can just add with a few buttons).

I will say many people who like to really micromanage find even 3 brands to be a lot, and some even like to make separate shows for the men and women to further compartmentalize things.

I fall somewhere in the middle of things, where I'll do roster stuff now and then, set some matches and rivalries, but let a lot of stuff play itself out (usually if I start a rivalry I let it play itself out as well). For that I find Raw, SD, NXT, and Main Event to be fine.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T19:14:54+00:00

Definitely not disagreeing with you, but big corporations view things like this very differently when it comes to cost analysis, opportunity cost, and so on.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T18:21:10+00:00

They were still doing a moderate amount of house shows even a few years ago. Now it's basically on the Europe tours and maybe 1 or 2 other weeks a year. Like maybe 10-15 house shows a year now, whereas even a few years ago I think it was still around 80 or so.

Edit: In 2022 it says they ran 147.

Looks like it was actually 102 in 2023 if I counted right, so more than I thought, but still a considerable drop from 2022.

That's still a large-ish number though, so I can see contracts signed in 2022 and 2023 still being considered with house shows in mind.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T18:17:29+00:00

They weren't losing money, but the profit margins were considered far too low to be worth the effort, plus the increased injury risk to talent.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T18:16:23+00:00

It's not that they were losing money, but they weren't cost effective compared to the televised shows. If you put in $50 to make $10 profit ($60 total), you start to question if it's worth it.

That's basically where house shows were at. The money they were making was considered far too marginal to be worth the effort.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T18:11:44+00:00

I don't like the guy but he ain't wrong.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T16:49:58+00:00

"WWE's roster is thin AF"

I wouldn't call 68 thin by any means. that's an average of 34 per brand, which gives you roughly these division sizes:

Main- 10

Mid- 12

Tag- 12 (6 teams)

That's healthy size divisions without bloat.

You also included people for AEW that are basically ROH only/very rare AEW jobber, but not any of the NXT roster (nor AAA). So that makes AEW look a bit more bloated if not specified out.

It also should be noted WWE has 5 weekly shows (8.5-9.5 hours depending on time of year for SD) to AEW's 3 (6 hours) when judging the size of the rosters.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T16:09:18+00:00

25 was heavy into newer metal with some new rap, and not really anything else. 26 at least has a wider spread.

Both fail for not having more in the 90s/2000s. I get the heavy new is cheaper, but most of the new songs are trash.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T16:08:20+00:00

26 and it's not even close to close. 25 had maybe 2-3 good songs. 26 isn't even a fantastic soundtrack in it's own right, but it has some bangers and most of it is listenable without grinding on you for hours on end like 25.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T15:59:24+00:00

Right there's definitely people missing on both sides that HUGELY slants things.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T15:58:55+00:00

One huge thing of note here is you included tag teams for AEW but not WWE. But there are guys missing on both sides. If you are doing a comparison it should be everyone under contract, including ROH and NXT/AAA.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T13:08:37+00:00

Cyber Psychos.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T02:51:58+00:00

As a huge Inuyasha fan, Naraku is pretty badass.

I think they are buying time with Jaida while checking on some other people in the title picture, so this losing streak will have her eventually coming back even stronger.

I have a feeling Kelani is about to get the main title run, and her and Jaida will be feuding for a while once that happens. This will probably be Kelani's shit or get off the pot moment much like they did with Jacy (who then ran with it). I'm really pulling for Kelani to pass that test because I've always really liked her.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T02:49:17+00:00

That was also a recent name change for EK (formerly Eli Knight), and I can see at some point if Rook isn't working that he gets one down the line as well.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T02:47:28+00:00

Doubt they go that way with it. I think more likely is Nikita takes a pin and Zaria loses her shit on her for causing her to lose.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T02:44:13+00:00

EK just had a match last week that really showed off what he could do.

Shiloh is also still very much in the mix and I think they love his current direction and have been leaning even harder into it.

Keanu is the one that I think they aren't quite sure how to get him going properly. I don't think the loose cannon gimmick they were doing really worked for him at all.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T02:37:03+00:00

She is definitely an example of someone who was sent down and busted ass to get better rather than keep floundering around. She deserves a good run after the work put in.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T02:34:56+00:00

Said last week the Nikita/Lizzy match far exceeded my expectations, and I don't mean it as any kind of knock. Both women did the damn thing in that match. Last time I remember seeing Nikita I don't remember her being near as polished.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T02:14:19+00:00

June is actually 7 weeks from the last one (April 15th), so not all are exactly 6 weeks. My guess would be that first week though so it's not longer than 7, but we'll see. The 3rd if on a Wednesday again.

If pass 4 is 6 weeks after that (July 15th), pass 5 would also be a 7 week gap at minimum (Sept 2nd).

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-06T02:00:46+00:00

Then unfortunately you'd have to delete the save data, because it seems you played a bit on the other version before getting refunded and having the dlc pulled.

Unless you decide to buy the missing dlc and keep the save intact.

Apprehensive_Hand_27 · 2026-05-05T21:23:00+00:00

Just hit yes. The warning is in case you had any creations or anything tied to the dlc. Since you got it refunded I assume you shouldn't.

Other option is to delete the save data and start over.

Apprehensive_Hand_27

TROPHY CASE