Posted By: Ben Kerin on May 08, 2026 
Fresh details have emerged regarding WWE’s recent approach to talent contracts, with Dave Meltzer clarifying that the number of wrestlers asked to accept reduced pay is far lower than initially rumored.
If you reference any quotes from this piece, please attribute them to the original source, and kindly credit WrestlingNewsSource.com (h/t) for the transcription.
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Eric Bischoff has weighed in on reported changes to WWE contract terms that limit how talent can explore opportunities elsewhere, describing the structure as heavily one sided while also acknowledging the strategy behind it.
Speaking on 83 Weeks alongside attorney Mike Dawkins, Bischoff reacted to claims that newer WWE deals include extended exclusive negotiation periods and clauses giving the company first refusal after contracts expire.
“Look, this is gonna be really unpopular, but you gotta kind of admire the team that put together that construct. It’s lopsided as hell, but I kind of admire it. There’s some genius to it,” Bischoff said.
He then reflected on how non compete clauses were viewed earlier in his career, suggesting attitudes around enforcement have shifted over time.
“You know, when I first started getting involved in negotiating contracts, and you know, we had attorneys that actually negotiated and made sure that they were written correctly, and everything else. But I was involved in the, you know, the basic architect, the blueprint of the agreements, term, money, dates, that kind of thing. And, you know, I would run across the, you know, non compete issues, and the answer that I would always get from attorneys is, look, no judge is going to enforce a non compete anyway. So if somebody decides they’re going to challenge this was back then, the way the contracts were written. Back in the 90s, even my own attorneys would say, if anybody ever challenged this, we’re going to get our ass kicked. Is that not the case? I mean, just you reading. To me, the kind of blueprint for the contract of adhesion. It’s not that complicated. You know, you don’t think you have to go to law school figure that one out. It’s pretty, pretty obvious, isn’t it?” he said.
Bischoff also compared the current system to his own first deal with WWE, noting a clear difference in how contracts were structured at the time.
“There was a time, at least when I signed my first agreement with WWE, there was no 90 day rollover of my deal. Unless I breached the contract, I was there for the term, which I think was two years initially. So I wonder when that 90 day rollover started really becoming common?” Bischoff said.
He went on to discuss how misunderstandings around contract language can lead to frustration among talent once they fully grasp the terms they agreed to.
“I think that’s where a lot of this starts. Some talent, unfortunately, become well acquainted with that 90 day language and the implications that come with it. And there’s a resentment, there’s a disappointment, there’s an anger. It’s their fault 90% of the time, but it still hurts. And then that carries over to social media and the chatter, and that’s where the narrative picks up a good portion of it,” he said.
During the discussion, Bischoff also praised Tony Khan for stepping in to support Rebel following her ALS diagnosis, while contrasting that decision with how publicly traded companies operate.
“Good on Tony. That being said, you’ve got a publicly held company, you’ve got management that has a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders, and you’ve got a multi billionaire not necessarily focused on the bottom line. It’s not a business decision, it’s a personal decision, and it’s one that only somebody who’s not responsible to the bottom line can afford to make,” Bischoff said.
Posted By: Ben Kerin on May 08, 2026 
WWE’s upcoming UK tour has hit an unexpected scheduling clash that could leave fans torn.
If you reference any quotes from this piece, please attribute them to the original source, and kindly credit WrestlingNewsSource.com (h/t) for the transcription.
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Matt Hardy has shared new insight into what fans can expect from the upcoming return of Dark Side of the Ring, including a major spotlight on TNA Wrestling and Jeff Jarrett.
Speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, Matt Hardy revealed that the seventh season will premiere on July 7 on Vice TV, kicking off with a three-part documentary centered around Jeff Jarrett and the history of TNA Wrestling.
Hardy explained that the project leans heavily into a redemption narrative, touching on Jarrett’s personal hardships, including the loss of his first wife Jill and longtime friend and tag partner Owen Hart, along with his battle with addiction.
“In speaking with Jeff Jarrett, had a great conversation with him a couple months ago, and he told me they were talking about doing this, and they’re doing a Dark Side of the Ring, which is kind of a redemption story, which is very cool,” Hardy said.
Hardy also revealed that both he and his brother Jeff Hardy took part in extensive interviews while in Las Vegas, reflecting on their earliest experiences with Jarrett and their time working alongside him.
“We were sold on it. While we were out in Vegas, Jeff and I both did very long-form interviews talking about everything from the very beginning. When we first met Jeff Jarrett, interacting with him, him and Owen asking if they could put the Tag Team titles on us when we were wearing tights back in the day with hope and faith and plaids, just for a few weeks to kind of build us and make us. Go into everything that Jeff Jarrett has been through, losing his friend Owen, losing his first wife, how his life has been.”
In addition to Jarrett’s journey, Hardy noted that the documentary also highlights the current state of TNA, suggesting a more positive outlook for the promotion today.
“Even up to that with TNA, whenever we left, whenever we returned to WrestleMania 33, WWE, just the whole to-do. And it felt great to be a part of something that did feel like a redemption story,” Hardy said. “Because not only did we talk about how Jeff Jarrett came out the other end in a much better place and how he has gained everyone’s respect from what he has done, we talked about the condition of TNA right now, how it is in a good place and it is actually thriving on AMC.”
Hardy added that the episode could feature the most star power the series has seen, noting that both he and Jarrett were interviewed for more than two hours each.
The first two parts of the documentary will air on July 7, with the final installment scheduled for the following week.
Season seven of Dark Side of the Ring will also explore a range of notable figures and moments from wrestling history, including:
• Paul Orndorff
• Big Boss Man
• Missy Hyatt
• Samoa Joe vs. Necro Butcher and their infamous 2005 IWA-MS match
• Zach Gowen
• Rick Wilson, remembered for his short-lived run as an Ultimate Warrior-inspired character
Shortly after it was revealed that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of the New Day had been released from WWE after refusing to take a 50% pay cut from the company, it was reported that a large number of talent on the roster had also been asked to accept a reduced salary. However, a new report has suggested that the amount of WWE stars asked to take a pay cut is much smaller than initially thought.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the number of talent asked to settle for lower pay was less than half a dozen and were stars that would’ve been part of the recent round of post-WrestleMania cuts if they didn’t accept it. Despite it first being reported that some high-profile names were offered pay cuts, Meltzer claims the opposite, saying that WWE only approached performers who the creative team have little interest in moving forward. Therefore, the promotion wanted to offer them the option of remaining under contract given that they will be receiving less TV time in the near future.
Meltzer continued to reveal that some stars did accept WWE’s offer, while others followed the New Day and rejected it. That said, he was told that everyone who was going to be released or asked to take a pay cut was informed, and does not foresee anybody on the roster being surprised when it comes to their status with the company. On Thursday, Meltzer stated that he expects that latest round of WWE cuts to be over outside of a couple of releases that potentially haven’t been announced yet.
