Report: WWE Offering Sheamus A Pay Cut Led To Departure

Sheamus' time with WWE is officially over after 19 years as the 48-year-old was moved to the alumni section of the WWE roster page on the company's website on Sunday, July 5. This came just hours after reports noted that Sheamus was leaving WWE after his contract expired, with it being claimed that Sheamus rejected an offer of a contract extension on a restructured deal while he was out of action with an injury.

That restructured deal would have ultimately been a reduction in pay for the multi-time world champion, with Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reporting that WWE offered Sheamus a pay cut. Sheamus ultimately turned that down, however, and decided to leave the organisation. The situation was said to be identical to the manner in which Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods exited WWE following WrestleMania 42.

WWE effectively issued an ultimatum to a number of talents in the aftermath of WrestleMania 42 where they were given the option to accept a pay cut or depart the organisation, with it being reported at the time that the wrestlers approached about pay cuts were those previously pushed at the top level but were no longer being booked as top stars. Several wrestlers accepted pay cuts to remain with the company.

In further insight into the situation, Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that TKO - the parent company of WWE - are very much running WWE like an American sports franchise.

"The TKO thing from talking to people there on this and on other situations is that they are very willing to pay really, really, really giant money to people they perceive as the stars. Like a sports team. But when it's older wrestlers who they perceive as being on their downside and have big contracts, they are very much like an NFL team where rather than pay a guy a giant salary who's on the downside, we would rather spend our resources on somebody younger who, also, we can pay less to," Meltzer stated.

Sheamus' next destination is unknown, but he has already been called out by AEW World Champion MJF and Ricochet.

Sheamus ends his WWE career after a 19-year run. He is a four-time world champion, three-time United States Champion, and five-time tag team champion with Cesaro as The Bar. Sheamus also won the 2012 Royal Rumble, 2010 King of the Ring tournament, and 2015 Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

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