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Jacob Fatu commented on his WWE Backlash World Heavyweight Title match, stating that he "prayed and cried for days like this." Fatu emphasized how important the championship opportunity is to him.
Charlotte Flair has identified a specific WWE Backlash match that she believes will "steal the show." Flair named which match she is most looking forward to watching at the Backlash event.
Several WWE wrestlers who recently signed new deals are frustrated after their agreements quickly lost value due to cuts and renegotiation pressure. New Day, Santos Escobar and others had signed new contracts within the last year without engaging other companies like AEW, but are now facing cuts to their pay which has reduced their leverage. Industry representatives noted this strategy may not be competitively smart for WWE since it could make it easier for AEW to sign talent without driving up prices.
AEW star Bobby Lashley has commented on WWE's Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods departing the company this past weekend. Lashley stated "This is a horrible move, but it could be a great move for someone else" regarding the New Day members' departures from WWE.
WWE approached several wrestlers about new contract deals during overseas tours, well before the talent anticipated being offered new deals. Some within the company viewed this as an attempt to get talent to sign before their representatives could review the offers, though this was characterized as opinion rather than confirmed strategy.
Former NJPW star EVIL made a mysterious arrival on WWE NXT last Tuesday without being given a new name, though he was acknowledged as a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, WWE's recent cuts and contract renegotiations have caused growing concern among agents and wrestlers about job security, with diminishing confidence that big money deals will last through their full terms. The report indicates that wrestlers like New Day and Santos Escobar had their pay cut after recently signing new deals, which has reduced their leverage in negotiations. Industry sources suggest this approach could affect how talent negotiate future contracts with WWE and may impact WWE's competitive position against companies like All Elite Wrestling.
According to Fightful Select, WWE approached numerous talent on the day of mass releases asking them to take pay cuts to remain with the company, giving several wrestlers only two days to make their decision. New Day's Austin Creed (Xavier Woods) and Kofi Kingston quickly decided they would rather leave the company despite the pay cut offer. The duo left millions of dollars on the table over the next four years by choosing to walk away.
Jacob Fatu has discussed what it would mean for him to defeat Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at WWE Backlash. Fatu stated "This Is Exactly The Moment I Was Grinding For, I Was The Cousin That Wasn't Supposed To Be Here" when speaking about the potential victory over his cousin Roman Reigns.
WWE was tasked with cutting millions in payroll over the last month, leading to roster releases and requests for talent to take pay cuts of seven figures per year in many cases. These aggressive payroll reduction measures occurred while TKO executives received high pay packages amid record-high stock prices, drawing heavy criticism within the wrestling industry.
A former Sportsnet host has announced that she has joined WWE NXT's broadcast team. She becomes another Canadian on-air personality to officially become a WWE broadcaster.
According to a backstage report, WWE had original creative plans for LA Knight following WrestleMania that have since changed. The altered plans have resulted in LA Knight waiting on the sidelines.