Update on WWE rumors surrounding Sami Zayn taking 50% pay cut
(Courtesy : Getty)
Recent discussion sparked rumours of Sami Zayn taking a pay cut.
The reports of TKO asking WWE talents for pay cuts have become a hot topic among fans, especially as long-time veterans like the New Day and Sheamus have parted ways with the WWE after being asked to restructure their deals.
Recently, Sami Zayn’s name surfaced after Kevin Nash discussed claims that the WWE star had allegedly taken a pay cut during an episode of the Kliq This podcast.
Following the episode, Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Zayn’s name has been mentioned in connection with wrestlers who were asked to accept pay cuts, although he noted that the claim has never been fully confirmed.
Meltzer added that, based on information WWE provided to him, the company’s position was that talent asked to take reduced contracts were generally wrestlers who were at risk of being released because there were no creative plans for them.
WWE’s approach was to offer those performers new deals at lower pay while leaving the door open for future creative opportunities.
Meltzer also pointed out that Sami differs from names like The New Day and Sheamus, who were not being utilized on television when they were asked to take pay cuts. By contrast, Zayn has remained a regular part of WWE programming.
Even so, Meltzer noted that this was far from the first time Zayn’s name had surfaced in discussions surrounding the reported pay-cut situation.
WWE does not view Sami Zayn as a top guy
Metlzer also weighed in on Sami Zayn losing the Undisputed title after 9 days to CM Punk on this past Monday on Raw in Chicago.
He noted that world championships are typically held by performers WWE views as its biggest drawing stars or “money players,” adding that the company does not currently see Zayn in that role.
“They really are in the hands of the people who the perception is are the money players, and Sami is not in their mind one of those people.
He could have been. There was a time where he was, but even then in their minds he still wasn’t because it’s like one of those things of, they’re still all brainwashed by the cosmetics in a lot of ways, and that certain people are good hands but they can’t be the guy.
And Sami is one of those guys in their minds that can’t be the guy.”
[H/T: Wrestling Noticias]
Zayn is currently set to team up with Gunther to take on the team of Undisputed Champion CM Punk and Cody Rhodes at the upcoming Saturday Night’s Main Event at MSG in New York on July 18.
When and where will the upcoming edition of SNME take place?
The 45th edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event will take place on July 18 at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
When and where will SummerSlam 2026 take place?
The 39th edition will air as a two-night spectacle on Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.