TNA’s Cost-Cutting Moves Spark Backlash as PCO and Others Get Lowball Offers

TNA’s latest cost-cutting measures have sent shockwaves through the locker room, with several high-profile names either walking away or being forced to renegotiate their contracts at significantly lower pay.

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, stars like Rhino, PCO, Trent Seven, Kushida, and Jade Chung all saw their guaranteed contracts expire at the end of 2024, with TNA offering them renewals at reduced rates—a stark contrast to the deals previously negotiated under former president Scott D’Amore. Even Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, who were close to D’Amore, found themselves in a similar position.

“From the TNA side regarding the cost-cutting, those who left and were offered new deals with less pay or to be switched to per-event from guaranteed deals were from their standpoint people “overpaid” in deals t hat Scott D’Amore had signed. Those deals with Rhino, PCO, Trent Seven, Kushida and Jade Chung who departed had their contracts expire at the end of the year and were offered renewals at less money. This was a similar situation with Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, who were close to D’Amore. D’Amore had also supposedly promised certain things to talent that once he was gone, the new management didn’t go for.”

One of the biggest flashpoints in the fallout appears to be PCO, who was reportedly led to believe he would be rewarded with a world title run after helping sell out TNA’s Montreal event. Instead, he found himself on the chopping block. Initially, PCO agreed to a lower salary after being asked to take a pay cut, only for TNA’s new management to pull the plug entirely, opting to have him drop his Digital Media Championship and exit the company. That led to PCO’s now-infamous meltdown at The People vs. GCW event, where he destroyed the belt on camera.

Meanwhile, TNA has been making moves in other areas, locking in Nic Nemeth, AJ Francis, Frankie Kazarian, Mustafa Ali, Masha Slamovich, John Skyler, and Ash by Elegance to new contracts.

Additionally, Steph De Lander returned to TNA television despite not yet being medically cleared, bringing an unexpected twist to the Digital Media Championship storyline. Claiming the title in a “divorce” from PCO, she insisted that the belt he destroyed was a fake, and that she holds the real Digital Media Championship.

TNA’s latest moves are shaking up the roster in a big way, but not everyone is happy about it. With stars like PCO feeling led on and cast aside, while others like Nic Nemeth and AJ Francis are getting new deals, it’s clear the company is heading in a different direction. Whether these cost-cutting measures will help or hurt TNA in the long run remains to be seen—but one thing’s for sure, the drama isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

What do you think? Did TNA make the right call, or are they burning bridges they can’t rebuild? Drop your thoughts below!