Vince McMahon Rejected Idea Of No-cut Clauses In WWE Talent Contracts

Vince McMahon’s retirement from WWE in July 2022 paved the way for Triple H to take over as the promotion’s head booker. The Game introduced a lot of changes in the Stamford-based promotion. He also brought back many former WWE stars.

Many fans have, for long, wondered what the contract negotiation process under the Vince McMahon regime was like and whether co-CEO Nick Khan’s method of hiring is any different from his predecessor, especially when it comes to the no-cut clause.

Sean Sapp reported about the negotiations that had taken place under the Vince McMahon regime from behind Fightful’s paywall. According to the report, the billionaire outright rejected the idea of the no-cut clause not being part of talent contract.

We’ve learned plenty about the contract negotiation process of WWE deals during what seems to be a new era, but we’ve gained some clarity in regards to internal feelings about how some were negotiated just before that.

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We’d reported last year that no-cut clauses have not been a part of any of the negotiations. In addition, Fightful had learned that Vince McMahon specifically was not in favor of adding a no cut-clause, but that others in the front office were. We’ve learned that many in the front office of WWE have heard that WWE President and Chief Revenue Officer Nick Khan has sounded open to the idea. Ultimately, Vince McMahon had the final say, and was vehemently against the idea of a no-cut clause. It didn’t cost WWE any big potential free agents, but there were some that had inquired about it. One person chalked it up to Vince McMahon being stuck in his ways, and said that it really put in perspective how many talent that had been released said “Vince McMahon liked me but…” when he ultimately had the say so over who was cut.

Most talent that we’ve spoken to have very positive things to say about Nick Khan and his method of management, specifically thinking outside of the box as compared to WWE traditions. Since Vince McMahon’s exit, there have not been mass main roster WWE releases, although there have been NXT and NXT UK cuts.

It remains to be seen if WWE will pursue the mass release option under the new Triple H regime. Stay tuned to Ringside News for more from the world of pro wrestling.

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