Report: Reason WWE Superstars Haven't Been Asked To Take A Pay Cut Revealed

Over the weekend, it emerged that WWE had implemented further cost-cutting measures as they asked referees and producers to take pay cuts of up to 20 percent. 

This comes after the company released 37 Superstars back on April 15, including Rusev, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, and Sarah Logan. Nine producers were also furloughed, along with much of the office staff at Titan Towers. 

Whether or not WWE has to make further cuts remains to be seen, but Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the company can't ask talent to reduce their pay as the wrestling behemoth would be in breach of contract and the Superstars would automatically become free agents. 

Meltzer said: "If the talent is asked to take a pay cut they become free agents and then they can go to AEW… I don't see them breaching contracts with talent. That will be the last one that they do."

WWE's pay cuts come at a time when many professional wrestling promotions are struggling because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Companies like New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Ring Of Honor, and the National Wrestling Alliance haven't run shows in the past couple of months, while independent wrestlers have tried to generate revenue through merchandise sales and other projects.