Even if you don’t know the first thing about WWE, there is a solid chance you know about Roman Reigns. The guy looks like a Greek god, hits like a freight train, and carries himself as if he owns every inch of the ring. And let’s be honest, he kinda does. The Tribal Chief has been creating a legacy for himself that will be remembered for decades to come.
This is why the world wasn’t too surprised to learn that Roman Reigns is among the highest-paid wrestlers in the world today. But then, a rumor came along stating that TKO would be slicing the wrestler’s $15 million salary, and while those rumors have been proven to be false, a WWE legend was furious upon hearing it.
The rumor about Roman Reigns’ contract
Speculation began when former WWE announcer Jonathan Coachman stated that TKO Group Holdings would be renegotiating Roman Reigns‘ contract.
While talking to Lucha Libre Online, Hugo Savinovich pointed out Coachman’s The Last Word podcast, where he had discussed the renegotiation. Savinovich asserted that while the company “won’t outright release” Reigns, he wouldn’t be “making $15 million per year anymore.”
Breaking it down for the viewers, Savinovich revealed that Reigns makes a base salary of $5 million. On top of that, he earns from pay-per-views, video game deals, promotional appearances, merchandise royalties, and special bonuses for appearances. Reigns also earns a cut from ticket sales, all of which, when combined, add up to $15 million.
The Spanish commentator also added that TKO is “cutting costs across the board” and with Reigns not being around full-time right now, it doesn’t make sense to the company to pay him so much.
The rumors are now squashed thanks to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (via Wrestling Headlines). As per Dave Meltzer’s report, Reigns is a top earner in WWE, second only to The Rock. He added, “The stories from Jonathan Coachman about TKO asking Reigns for a pay cut or contract restructuring are false.”
Well, there you go. The speculation around Reigns getting his contract amended is nothing but false, as Meltzer has stated. Somebody tell Rikishi.
Was Rikishi upset with TKO?
Rikishi has been in the business of pro wrestling for years and is a prominent member of the Anoaʻi family of Samoan wrestlers. By blood, he is Reigns’ cousin, and was extremely upset upon hearing the rumor about his pay cut.
A clip from his Off the Top podcast is going viral on social media, where he addresses the rumor surrounding Reigns. The wrestler appeared to be quite upset with what TKO was allegedly going to do to his cousin, who, in his opinion, is the face of WWE.
Rikishi addresses the rumour of TKO trying to cut Roman Reigns’ salary.
“Roman the guy who main-evented WrestleMania. Y’all do the math every Mania, what TKO earns, & guess whose face is leading it? Roman Reigns. I won’t sit back & let them erase the history of our family.” pic.twitter.com/srKpOxh2Eg
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) June 13, 2025
He talks about how Reigns has “main-evented WrestleMania” 6 times, and will continue to do so in the future. He told the viewers to “do the math” what TKO and WWE earn every WrestleMania.
Rikishi added, “That’s a lot of money…and guess whose face is on that? Leading that? I didn’t make this up, y’all did. Y’all put it out there. I’ve seen the same flier y’all seen. Roman Reigns, Bloodline member.”
He also pointed out the significance of other Bloodline members in WWE, including Jey Uso and Trinity Fatu. Rikishi went on to state that he wouldn’t sit back and watch TKO erase the history of his family and what they have contributed to WWE.
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