Reports say WWE asked some wrestlers to renegotiate contracts and take large pay cuts while top executives at TKO saw big increases in pay in 2025. The numbers have fans upset as some stars may leave the company.
What was reported
Multiple reports said WWE made a second round of roster cuts and also asked several Superstars to renegotiate their deals. It is believed Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods asked to leave after being told to take new deals that would pay them less. Other wrestlers were reportedly asked the same.
One report said a top star agreed to a 50 percent pay cut. Another source said that star was not at the very top of the card but did confirm pay-cut talks are happening. These reports sparked wider coverage about how much TKO and WWE leaders earn.
Executive pay in 2025
UFCcoverage shared figures that show big year-over-year increases for top TKO and WWE executives in 2025. The most notable numbers include:
– Ari Emanuel: $67 million in 2025, up from $18 million in 2024 (about +272%).
– Mark Shapiro: $43 million in 2025, up about 33% from the prior year.
– Nick Khan: $24 million in 2025, roughly four times his 2024 pay (about +304%).
These figures were highlighted in a public post that summarized the year-over-year changes and totals for each executive.
Amid reports some WWE talent were asked to take pay cuts by as much as 50%, how are some top TKO & WWE executives compensated YOY (determined by TKO Board comp committee)? 2025 vs. 2024: Ari Emanuel: +272%, $18M → $67M; Mark Shapiro: +33%, $32M → $43M; Nick Khan: +304%, $6M → $24M.
What this could mean for talent
Wrestlers seeing these executive payouts say it will be harder to accept big cuts. If performers are asked to take 50 percent less pay, many could look for work outside WWE. Kingston and Woods are already reported to have tried that route.
Fans have pointed to rising ticket prices and repeated claims about record gates as context. Some say high ticket costs and big executive pay make the pay-cut talks feel unfair, especially when Superstars are asked to earn much less.
It is unclear how many more wrestlers were asked to renegotiate or how the company will move forward. The public numbers for executives, however, have added pressure and raised questions about the direction of the promotion and the future of its talent.
