Kevin Nash Clarifies TKO Comments, Reveals Wrestler Took Major Pay Cut To Stay

Posted by admin on May 18th, 2026

Kevin Nash has clarified his recent criticism of TKO Group Holdings while also shedding light on the financial realities behind WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts.

Speaking on Kliq This, Nash revealed that he personally knows at least one WWE talent who accepted a 50 percent pay cut to remain with the company rather than be released. While he did not name the wrestler, he emphasized that the reduced salary is still substantial.

“I’ve got enough moles in the business where, I mean, I know the people that took 50 percent cuts. I know one of the guys, and when I found out what the person was making, and after I just picked myself up off the ground that he was making that much money, and then realized that even at 50 percent, he was making huge money.”

The comments come in the wake of reports that WWE offered select talent the option to restructure contracts at lower rates instead of being released. Some, including Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, reportedly declined and requested their releases. The identities of those who accepted reduced deals have not been publicly confirmed.

Nash also addressed his earlier viral remarks in which he criticized TKO leadership and told them to stay out of WWE creative, making it clear those comments were not based on direct conversations with Paul Levesque.

“One thing Paul and I have never done is we have never talked business. Like, I could not call or text him and say, ‘Hey, what’s going on? Are they [messing] with you?’ He would never. Because that’s our deal.”

He added that his frustration at the time may not have been entirely rooted in concrete information.

“Maybe I got pissed off last week. Maybe it was just because I did a lot of driving… maybe I thought I was a wrestler again.”

Nash also softened his stance on TKO executives, specifically praising Ari Emanuel, the CEO of TKO, for his professionalism in their personal interactions.

“The only person I’ve ever met from TKO is Ari… I’ve never been treated better by anyone in management than the way he treated me.”

While Nash admitted he does not personally know other executives such as TKO President Mark Shapiro, he acknowledged that his earlier comments may have been more emotional than informed.

The remarks provide additional context to both WWE’s recent roster decisions and the internal dynamics following the company’s integration under TKO.