Like many of you, I read the statements from Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods issued on Monday following their releases from WWE. While both were professional and heartfelt, one line from Kingston stood out:
“Do not ever compromise or accept less than your due when it comes to your worth.”
Kingston’s comment came after reports that the pair were asked to take a pay cut
, declined, and essentially were let go.Also on Monday, reporter Brandon Thurston shared the 2025 compensation figures for TKO and WWE
executives compared to 2024. To say that the increases were striking is an understatement.
TKO CEO and Chair Ari Emanuel’s compensation rose from $18 million to $67 million. TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro increased from $32 million to $43 million. WWE President Nick Khan’s compensation climbed from $6 million to $24 million.
Prima facie, it takes some nerve to sit at the top, receive a significant pay bump, and then look down the ladder and ask the workforce to take less money.
Stones, son. Stones.
But in fairness, perhaps those guys earned it. Based on WWE’s commercial success and overall worth, some would say they probably have. Good for them.
Still, when it comes to Woods and Kingston — and Kingston’s point about knowing your worth — it’s clear those at the top didn’t think they were worth what they were being paid.
Fair enough. But here’s a question: how can WWE and TKO really determine what they’re worth when they’re the ones deciding how they’re booked?
The other day, I asked readers where they ranked The New Day among the greatest tag teams in WWE history. Their commercial success is undeniable. They sold everything from cereal to shirts to unicorn horns. Alongside Big E, Woods, and Kingston were big bucks for WWE.
Unfortunately, the cash cow that was the New Day grew thin after Big E was injured and forced to retire. However, Woods and Kingston saw a brief resurgence following a heel turn that ultimately went nowhere.
Who’s accountable for that?
That’s right, Paul Levesque, the head of WWE’s creative, who, from recent reports, got a vote of confidence and maybe something more from Nick Khan.
This is a team act — and, if we’re being honest, tag team wrestling, which falls under Levesque’s purview, hasn’t exactly been a priority in WWE. The current SmackDown champions are the makeshift duo of R-Truth and Damian Priest: a comedy veteran and a former world champion.
If Woods and Kingston weren’t worth what they were being paid, the reality is they weren’t given much to work with. Hell, they were barely given any work.
At WrestleMania 41, Woods and Kingston won the World Tag Team Championship. They had one title defense in May and one in June before dropping the belts to Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh, who themselves went on to have just one title defense in an almost four-month reign.
In short: if WWE and TKO wanted a return on their investment, they should have invested something creatively in two proven commodities.
Instead, WWE and TKO made something else clear to anyone who aspires to get into the wrasslin’ business: it’s better to wear a suit and tie than a horn and tights, better to be the company chairman than the company champion.
