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WWE Offering Big Money Deals To Retain Talent
While several talents have either left, or have requested their release from WWE, the company is offering big money contracts to those who decide to sign new contracts.
Jim Ross recently spoke with Busted Open Radio, and stated he knew of one undercard guy who signed a $500,000 deal with WWE, despite not being used on television. Ross believes WWE is doing this to keep talent from exploring other opportunities outside the company.
“I heard the other day — someone told me in a meeting because I was asking about some talent — I’m not officially in that department but you know, I’m the senior advisor, so I want to advise.
I asked about one guy in WWE, who’s an undercard guy — been there a while, solid hand, could help the younger guys learn because he’s at that age now, early 30s, and they say, ‘Well he’s not available. He just signed for half-a-million dollars’. He’s not even on television.
500k Bubba, just to keep him off the streets so to speak. So yeah, I would think there’s a reactionary phase of this deal that, ‘Hey, these guys got some cash and they’re willing to pay people’.”
Following Jim Ross’ comments, Fightful Select is reporting Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder of The Revival were both offered five year, $500,000 per year deals that they have yet to accept. Back in January, The Revival asked for their releases, but were told to hang tight and see how things panned out in the following weeks. The duo ended up winning the RAW Tag Team Titles, which they dropped at Wrestlemania 35.
The report also mentions that The Revival has a scheduled meeting with company officials Monday afternoon.
WWE has experienced a large number of departures, as well as talent who have requested their release.
- Luke Harper – Requested Release, Not Granted
- Mike & Maria Kanellis – Requested Release, Not Granted
- Sasha Banks – Requested Release, Not Granted
- The Revival – Requested Release, Not Granted
- Dean Ambrose – Did Not Re-Sign
- Hideo Itami – Requested Release, Granted
- Tye Dillinger – Requested Release, Granted
- Goldust – Requested Release, Granted
Video Credit: Busted Open Radio with an H/T to Fightful for the transcription.