Roman Reigns, one of the biggest names in WWE, has had a tumultuous journey, and recent developments indicate he might not be as invulnerable as previously thought when it comes to budget cuts under TKO. The last time fans witnessed Reigns on their screens was on WWE Raw, after WrestleMania 41, where he faced an unexpected attack from Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker. This incident not only showcased Reigns’ precarious position in the storyline but also marked Breakker’s alliance with Rollins.
In recent months, the wrestling world has seen the departure of notable talents including Braun Strowman, Dakota Kai, R-Truth, and Carlito. Reports suggest that Strowman’s release was primarily due to his high salary, as TKO seeks to streamline its budget. Roman Reigns, known for being one of the highest-paid performers in the company, has found himself under scrutiny as well, especially with ongoing budget considerations looming over WWE.
In mid-April, during an interview, Roman hinted at potentially stepping away from his wrestling career after WrestleMania 42. His workload has drastically changed; while he participated in 52 matches in 2022, this figure dwindled to just 11 in 2023, then 6 in 2024, and has now reached a mere 3 matches in 2025. Given these declining figures and his comments about retirement, it raises the question of whether TKO executives might view him as a viable candidate for their budget cuts.
The recent episode of The Last Word podcast, featuring former WWE employees Jonathan Coachman and Tommy Carlucci, shed light on these concerns. Coachman aptly pointed out that for TKO, it’s all about the financial bottom line. He noted that while Roman is set to sign another two-year deal, his staggering pay—between $15 million and $20 million annually—could justify concern. "Does that math make sense to pay a guy who might appear 10 to 20 times a year?" Coachman questioned, stressing the cost-effectiveness of retaining high-salaried superstars who aren’t present often.
Carlucci echoed these sentiments, suggesting that while TKO might not sever ties completely with Reigns, it’s likely they will reconsider the financial terms of his contract. He expressed doubt that Triple H, who’s taking on a different managerial spirit than Vince McMahon, would risk Roman’s exorbitant salary against the backdrop of other superstars being released due to budget constraints.
Roman Reigns’ ascent to WWE superstardom began in earnest in 2017 after John Cena passed the torch to him. The following year, he faced a significant health challenge when he publicly announced that he had been living with leukemia and that it had returned. His courageous comeback in 2019 saw him shift into a full-time wrestling role after a break for treatment.
With all these developments, Reigns’ future in WWE feels precarious. The landscape of wrestling is ever-evolving, and with TKO’s keen focus on financial optimization, even the biggest names can find themselves vulnerable. Roman Reigns’ fans can only hope that his legacy and contributions to the sport will afford him some protection as the budget cuts begin to take shape.
In an industry where loyalty often meets the harsh reality of business decisions, it will be interesting to see how TKO navigates its roster and who will ultimately remain when the dust settles. Roman’s impending decisions regarding his career, along with TKO’s financial maneuvers, could lead to a significant turning point in the WWE narrative both inside and out of the ring.
For now, fans and wrestling enthusiasts will continue to keep a watchful eye on Reigns, hoping that he remains a central figure in WWE for years to come. As the industry evolves, one thing is clear: the world of professional wrestling remains as unpredictable as ever, and no superstar, regardless of their status, is completely safe from the looming specter of budget cuts.
