It’s turned into one of the toughest times of the year for wrestling viewership, as not only have the NBA and NHL playoffs returned, but the Nielsen Ratings system is once again undergoing a change that, according to Dave Meltzer, has seen wrestling viewership decline. As a result, “AEW Dynamite,” “WWE SmackDown,” and “TNA Impact” have all taken some hits over the past few weeks, though TNA execs may find some relief in their most recent episode of “Impact” showing some steadiness.
Wrestlenomics and Programming Insider report that the April 30 edition of “Impact” drew 209K total viewers, and 0.03 in the coveted 18-49 demographic. While this is among the lowest numbers “Impact” has drawn since TNA began airing on AMC back in January, the number was up 19% from April 23’s 175K viewership, currently the lowest number “Impact” has drawn. Meanwhile, 18-49 showed no change from the week prior with a second consecutive 0.03.
Against the four week average, “Impact” had even more mixed results, with total viewership only down 1% from the average of 211K. It was a different story in the key demo, however, as while “Impact” was only down one point from an average of 0.04, it was enough to mean a 25% decline in 18-49. Sports competition was stiff for the night, with “Impact” going against two Game 6’s in the NBA playoffs, and Game 6 of the Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars series in the NHL playoffs.
“Impact” featured one significant title match, as former WWE star Mustafa Ali successfully defended the TNA International Championship against standout Australian wrestler Adam Brooks. The show was headlined, however, by a “Walk With Elijah Guitar Strap Match,” which saw Elijah emerge victorious over former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Frankie Kazarian in 16 and a half minutes.
Booker T has shared his thoughts on the exit of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, offering strong praise for both men while supporting their decision to move on.
Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T described the former The New Day members as future Hall of Famers and suggested their WWE run had largely reached its natural conclusion.
Booker T on New Day Departure
Booker T questioned what more the duo could realistically accomplish in WWE at this stage.
“What else could they have done in WWE? Other than win the titles one more time. That’s the only thing they could have done in WWE. I mean, sticking around, it’s one thing, but wanting to really be a part of the show, that’s where it comes down to with a lot of these guys, like Xavier Woods, like Kofi Kingston, who still think that they have a lot more to give to the game. And I heard it was one of those mutual things between both parties. Those guys are Hall of Famers. WWE Hall of Famers, first ballot Hall of Famers when the time comes up. So I’m sure it’s going to be a way back for those guys,” Booker T said.
Supports Decision to Pursue More Money
Booker T also made it clear he supports their decision to prioritize financial opportunities, especially if better deals are available elsewhere.
“I’m a realist, man. You don’t want to leave no money on the table. You don’t want to leave no money on the table. And out there right now is money floating around on the table. I remember last time when I said guys like Edge going over, Ric Flair, those guys, I said AEW is a good place to retire. But people don’t talk about what else I’d say. It’s a good place to start, like a Ricky Saints, like Ethan Page. It’s a great place to start, too. So I just wanted to put that out there. It is a great place to end your career. Damn, it is a great place to end your career. You can get paid just as much money on your way out as you’re making at the end of your career. Is that not a good deal?” Booker T said.
He doubled down on that stance by framing it as a practical decision for long-term security.
“So I see so many people hating when I make a comment like that, but damn it, that’s a good deal if you can get it. So for me, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, just like The Hurt Business, you gotta retire sometime, and you want to retire from this business with some money in your pocket. That’s the way I look at that,” Booker T said.
Future Still Open
Booker T’s comments suggest that while Kingston and Woods have left WWE for now, he believes the door remains open for a potential return down the line.
At the same time, he emphasized that maximizing earning potential is a key part of any wrestler’s career decision, especially after years of success at the highest level.
Tony Khan has revealed his personal Mount Rushmore of professional wrestling, while also naming the wrestler he believes stands above the rest based on his own experience in the industry.
Speaking on Marking Out with MVP and Dwayne Swayze, Khan explained that his original list is rooted in his childhood fandom, while his modern perspective would look different.
Tony Khan Mount Rushmore Picks
Khan’s childhood-based Mount Rushmore includes Steve Austin, Ric Flair, Bret Hart, and Sting.
He emphasized that the list reflects the performers who shaped his early view of wrestling, starting with Austin.
“The first person I would say is Steve Austin,” Khan said. “Through a number of different iterations. I’ve been a fan of Steve Austin since he first started wrestling on television. I was watching with Steve Austin in the summer of 91, first became the World TV Champion on TBS, and I followed him as a singles wrestler, through tag teams, as Stunning Steve. I always believed Stunning Steve was going to be a top star in wrestling. I just didn’t know that it would be in a different promotion, not as Stunning Steve, and not with his blonde hair. And then he became the greatest star in the history of wrestling. He’s an incredible, incredible wrestler. He’s an incredible person. And I think that Steve Austin would be the very first person I would put on any wrestling Mount Rushmore.”
Khan then highlighted Flair as an essential inclusion.
“I also think that Steve Austin and I would agree about this, any wrestling Mount Rushmore must include the Nature Boy Ric Flair,” he said. “I think the Nature Boy Ric Flair, to me, is the person I grew up on. My first message board name was Tony Flair. And I’m a big Ric Flair believer. And I absolutely think Ric Flair, to me growing up, was the person that I followed for the longest time, who I thought wrestled at the highest level.”
He also praised Hart’s consistency and in-ring quality.
“I would also say Bret Hart. Bret Hart, the Hitman. What a fantastic wrestler, talking about people that wrestled on American TV at the highest level, and you never saw any inconsistency. You always saw them putting out their very best. And even before I really understood what makes great wrestling matches, or understood really that there’s any cooperation, when I was really watching wrestling as a kid at a very young age, immediately the quality of the Bret Hart matches stood out to me. I first saw him in the tag team of the Hart Foundation when I was a kid. But Bret Hart is somebody that I have a lot of respect for. And I would include Bret Hart on that Mount Rushmore,” Khan said.
Sting rounded out the list, with Khan reflecting on both his fandom and later working relationship.
“And then when I talk about my childhood idols and somebody that I think has been a huge part of my life, somebody I grew up on and then came to AEW and had his retirement match. And I never imagined that I would get to know him, or let alone work with him someday. And that is Sting,” Khan said. “Sting I was a huge fan of as a kid. I was a little Stinger, and I never imagined when we launched AEW that Sting could become a part of it, or that Sting would have quite possibly the greatest run anyone’s ever had.”
Khan added that Ricky Steamboat would round out his top five.
Kenny Omega Tops Khan’s Modern List
While his Mount Rushmore reflects his childhood influences, Khan made it clear that his current view places Kenny Omega at the very top.
“If I could go in and put together a Mount Rushmore with what I know and the people I’ve worked with, Kenny Omega would be at the top of it. And this is a very childhood influence list, but I think Kenny Omega is the greatest wrestler I’ve ever seen,” Khan said.
MVP Shares His Own Picks
MVP also shared his Mount Rushmore during the discussion, naming The Rock, Kurt Angle, Ric Flair, and Keiji Mutoh.
MVP emphasized the importance of including Japanese wrestling legends, mentioning names such as Antonio Inoki, Mitsuharu Misawa, Toshiaki Kawada, and Giant Baba as worthy candidates.
He specifically highlighted Mutoh’s ability to evolve throughout his career.
“His ability and the way he constantly reinvented and changed, but stayed on top, and when his body fell apart, he changed the way he wrestled, but was still dynamic to watch,” MVP said. “When he couldn’t do the physical things that he used to do anymore, the character became bigger.”
He also cited Kawada as a personal favorite, pointing to his matches with Misawa as a major influence.
Different Eras, Different Perspectives
The discussion reflects how perspectives on wrestling greatness can vary depending on era and experience, with Khan separating his childhood influences from his modern-day evaluation.
Additional WWE releases could be on the way following the latest round of roster changes, according to new comments from Bryan Alvarez.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Live, Alvarez indicated that the situation is still developing and may not be finished.
More WWE Releases Expected
“Ever since Friday’s show, we had more people released from WWE. There may be more coming,” Alvarez said. “In fact, a few of the people that were announced this weekend had actually been released a while ago, and it just wasn’t announced until this weekend, so I believe there might be others as well.”
His comments suggest that some departures may not yet be public, and additional names could emerge in the coming days.
Alvarez also pointed to several SmackDown talents as potential concerns, noting that the fallout from recent storylines may reflect real roster changes. The May 1 episode of SmackDown featured Jacob Fatu taking out members of the MFT faction, including Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga, with commentary framing it as the group being effectively wiped out.
Uncertainty Around Tama Tonga
One name that remains unclear is Tama Tonga.
Alvarez noted that he was initially told Tonga had been released, but that did not match the official list that followed.
“I was told that Tama Tonga was gone. Turns out, he wasn’t released the next day. I don’t know what that means.”
That leaves his current status uncertain.
Alvarez also referenced Shinsuke Nakamura, who has not appeared on WWE television for months and has been the subject of repeated speculation regarding his future. Despite those rumors, Nakamura remains under contract.
The most recent confirmed changes included the mutual departures of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, along with releases involving Tonga Loa and JC Mateo.
Those moves followed an earlier wave of cuts tied to WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster reset.
With some releases reportedly delayed in being announced and others potentially still pending, the situation remains fluid. Alvarez’s comments indicate that WWE’s roster changes may continue beyond what has already been confirmed.
A new report has revealed that multiple WWE wrestlers have agreed to pay cuts after being approached by the company, with the process expected to continue in the coming weeks.
According to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Radio, several talents were asked to renegotiate their contracts at lower rates, and some chose to accept those terms.
WWE Wrestlers Pay Cuts Continue
Alvarez confirmed that while some agreed to new deals, others did not.
“I’ve been told there were several people who were asked to take pay cuts and they took them. I don’t know how many. I don’t know who. Obviously, the New Day was asked, and they did not want to renegotiate, and so they got their release. Apparently, there were some others who did end up renegotiating, and probably as time goes on, there will be more of these. In fact, there definitely will be,” Alvarez said.
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods declined to accept revised terms and ultimately parted ways with WWE.
Additional insight from Dave Meltzer suggests that the wrestlers being targeted are often performers who were once positioned at a higher level but are no longer being used in the same way on television.
“I know one guy in this situation, he could go to AEW and he could make a lot of money in AEW, but he did take a pretty big pay cut to stay. The reason you would be asked to renegotiate is because the contract you signed was when they perceived you as being far more valuable than they perceive you as being now,” Meltzer said.
He added that creative direction, rather than ability, has played a role in how some talent is currently valued.
Further reports from Sean Ross Sapp and Mike Johnson back up the claim, with one case involving a wrestler allegedly agreeing to a 50 percent pay cut.
The changes come as TKO Group Holdings continues to report strong financial performance, alongside rising executive compensation.
According to Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics, executive compensation has risen sharply:
Ari Emanuel saw compensation increase 272 percent, from $18 million to $67 million
Mark Shapiro rose 33 percent, from $32 million to $43 million
Nick Khan jumped 304 percent, from $6 million to $24 million
This contrast has drawn attention, as talent pay adjustments are happening alongside significant executive pay increases.
Alvarez emphasized that this is not a one-time situation, with more wrestlers likely to be approached in the near future.
For now, WWE’s contract strategy appears focused on aligning salaries with current creative positioning, even as some performers weigh the risk of leaving versus accepting reduced deals.
