BREAKING: Backstage Update On Whether Sami Zayn Was Asked To Take A Pay Cut By WWE And TKO - Report

 

Sami Zayn has become the talk of the WWE Universe. It seems like he has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons

A new report has shed light on whether WWE asked the Canadian wrestler to take a pay cut.

TKO has been making big moves lately, asking some of the wrestlers to restructure their contracts to remain with the company. The older stars, who have been seen as a downgrade, were allegedly asked to accept a pay reduction or else be cut by the company.

Some of them have refused to take a 50% pay cut and have left WWE. Sheamus recently joined Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston as stars who bet on themselves and parted ways. Rumor has it that a "majorly pushed" talent agreed to take a lower salary to remain with the Stamford-based promotion.

The identity of the talent wasn't disclosed at the time, but speculation was rife that it was Sami Zayn. His name was brought up during a leaked conversation between Kevin Nash and his co-host, Sean Oliver, during the Kliq This podcast.

During the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer shut down the rumors, saying:

"His name was brought up internally to me but never as 100 percent, and based on what WWE told me directly when it came to pay cuts, their version is that everyone asked were guys who were going to be cut because creative had nothing for them but they would give them a new deal at a decreased rate to see if something popped up. Zayn was a guy always used, unlike a Ridge Holland, New Day, Sheamus or others who were not being used when asked to take the cut. But this would not be the first, or fifth for that matter, time his name didn't come up in speculation on that subject." (H/T - Wrestletalk)

Sami Zayn says he is on a mental health break following the loss of his Undisputed Championship. pic.twitter.com/Q699dwsxM6

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) July 11, 2026

What's next for Sami Zayn after losing his Undisputed WWE Championship?

Sami Zayn is seemingly distraught over losing his Undisputed WWE Championship to CM Punk in an impromptu match on RAW earlier this week.

Last night on SmackDown, Nick Aldis revealed that the former Honorary Uce took a mental health break. However, he will be back in time for Saturday Night's Main Event.

Sami Zayn will join forces with Gunther to take on CM Punk and Cody Rhodes in a tag team match at Madison Square Garden. Nick Aldis booked the match after the Ring General asked him to insert him into the title picture.

The SmackDown General Manager refused to do so and paid the price. Gunther choked out Nick Aldis with a Sleeper Hold, ending the show on a cliffhanger.

As of this writing, Cody Rhodes is scheduled to challenge CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event of SummerSlam. But that could change if recent reports are to be believed.

The creative could turn it into a Triple Threat or a Fatal 4-Way Match.