TKO Targets Roman Reigns’ $15M WWE Deal Amid WWE Netflix Decline

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It appears that TKO is considering revising the substantial $15 million contract of Roman Reigns, suggesting that his value as a “part-time” star does not justify the expense.

The latest news indicates that WWE is facing a dip in viewership numbers on Netflix, which could be causing some internal upheaval. Moreover, TKO and the WWE have let go of veteran performers like R-Truth and Carlito, as their contracts were not renewed. This move has sparked speculation about what’s happening backstage.

What is said about Roman Reigns’ contract?

As a diehard cinema of wrestling enthusiast, I’ve picked up some intriguing whispers about TKO contemplating a revamp of Roman Reigns’ whopping $15 million WWE contract. This scoop initially surfaced from the lips of former Spanish-language commentator, Hugo Savinovich, on Lucha Libre Online. According to him, TKO is strategizing to trim down Reigns’ earnings given his “part-time” engagement and their broader cost-cutting initiatives.

Although they won’t completely free him from his contract, you can expect a significant decrease in Roman Reigns’ annual earnings, which were previously $15 million. To clarify the source of this figure, let me explain: Roman Reigns’ basic salary is $5 million, but he also earns additional income through sources like pay-per-views, video game deals (such as WWE 2K), promotional engagements, merchandise royalties (he receives approximately 30% of the profits from merchandise sales), and special bonuses for appearances in locations like Saudi Arabia. Additionally, he gets a share of ticket sale revenues. In total, these factors add up to $15 million per year. Essentially, since Roman Reigns will be working less frequently, they are considering revising the financial terms of his contract.

Savinovich additionally pointed out that Reigns has been cast in an upcoming Hollywood production, rumored to be the latest adaptation of the famous video game franchise, Street Fighter.

Viewership Down 30% on Netflix

In terms of its viewership, WWE Raw has experienced a significant decrease since it first aired on Netflix. For instance, during the week of January 13, Raw attracted approximately 3.7 million viewers worldwide and was watched for over 8.2 million hours. However, by the week of May 26, the number of views dropped to around 2.6 million, and the total hours watched fell to 4.8 million hours – a decline of about 30% in viewership and nearly 41% in hours watched (as per Netflix statistics).

The most recent episode didn’t manage to surpass 5 million viewing hours on Netflix, marking a new low for WWE on the streaming platform. Despite Raw continuing to rank in the Top 10 of English-language TV shows worldwide, the declining viewership figures are causing concerns, particularly since TKO aims to cut costs in every area.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve been keeping an ear to the ground about the recent release of “Raw” on Netflix, and it seems there’s a collective groan from viewers finding it less than satisfying. The narrative, they claim, is monotonous and dragged out, with repetitive sequences that leave them longing for more action. Additionally, some have expressed frustration over an abundance of commercial interruptions, which dampened their viewing experience.

TKO cutting costs and mounting debt

Savinovich adds about TKO cutting costs:

TKO seems to be reducing expenses in all areas, and there have been indications of more cost-cutting measures. Some people may recall when Nick Khan, a high-profile WWE executive, decided to sell $4 million worth of shares. This move raised questions. TKO appears to question why they are still paying Roman such a substantial amount if he’s not working full-time, and they might be looking to renegotiate his contract.

TKO’s cost-reduction plan aligns with its current financial predicament. By March 31, 2025, the company had approximately $2.776 billion in outstanding debt, a significant portion of which is linked to UFC.

What’s next for WWE

Every Friday evening, you can catch WWE Smackdown. The event known as Money in the Bank is broadcast on Peacock at 7pm Eastern Time (or 4pm Pacific Time) on Saturdays. For our international viewers, it’s also available on Netflix.

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2025-06-07 04:01