MJF is now weighing in on WWE’s controversial TKO-era contract restructuring strategy — and he made it very clear he understands exactly why some wrestlers are refusing to accept reduced deals.
While speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, MJF addressed the growing reports surrounding WWE talents allegedly being asked to take major pay cuts under the new TKO system. During the conversation, Ariel Helwani specifically asked whether MJF would want to see The New Day eventually land in All Elite Wrestling. MJF immediately praised both wrestlers while referencing the recent reports surrounding their WWE exit.
“Yes, absolutely. I don’t know what their contract situation is, but whenever they are legally allowed to come over, I think they would be incredible additions to the AEW roster. They’re both guys that know their worth, which to me is the most impressive thing.”
MJF also made it clear he was not surprised at all by the reports that some wrestlers chose to leave instead of accepting major cuts.
“I’m not surprised they left, because if you’re going to tell guys that they have to take a pay cut, they’re going to say no.”
When asked directly how he personally would respond if AEW attempted something similar, MJF did not hesitate: “How would I react? No!” MJF then acknowledged that WWE’s business philosophy has changed significantly under TKO Group Holdings ownership and framed the situation as a business-first strategy.
“It’s a different WWE now—they’re owned by TKO Group Holdings. So they’re trying to enhance money as much as possible.”
He also referenced WWE’s growing global expansion plans while making it very clear that both companies are ultimately trying to maximize profits, but he believes AEW approaches talent relations very differently internally.
“WrestleMania is about to happen in Saudi Arabia, you know what I mean? It’s a business. AEW is trying to make money too. But I just think we handle the business differently and look at it differently in our front office.”
Importantly, MJF also avoided outright attacking WWE’s approach and instead framed it as simply a different business philosophy. Still, he openly questioned the idea of wrestlers agreeing to massive reductions
“Not s****** on the way WWE handles it—that’s up to them. If they look at the money they’re making and say that’s not enough, alright, let’s reach out to talent and tell them to take a 50% cut—and if they say yes, is that really on them?”
The strongest moment came when Ariel Helwani directly asked whether anything similar has ever happened inside AEW during an active contract. MJF’s response was immediate and emphatic.
“During a contract? No f**ing way!” If you’re asking me in the middle of a contract—hey, man, no—that’s never happened.”
MJF’s comments come after recent reports from Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez revealed that several WWE wrestlers were approached about taking reduced contracts under the TKO system. According to those reports, some talent accepted the cuts to remain employed while others rejected the new terms outright.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter additionally reported that most of the wrestlers approached were talents WWE creative already had limited long-term plans for, with the company viewing the pay cuts as a way to phase certain wrestlers down gradually instead of immediately releasing them.
Bottom line: MJF clearly believes wrestlers turning down major WWE pay cuts are simply standing up for their value, while also making it clear AEW currently operates very differently when it comes to honoring existing contracts.
Do you think WWE’s new TKO contract strategy makes business sense, or are wrestlers right to reject major pay cuts even if it risks losing their jobs? Leave your thoughts below.