WWE Rumors on Roster Releases, New Day's Pay Cut and Royce Keys' 946 Faction

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

Rumors on Surprising WWE Roster Cut

WWE recently released 10 talents this past week, but one in particular reportedly caught many by surprise.

According to Wrestling Observer's Bryan Alvarez, Wendy Choo's release blindsided her peers inside the WWE Performance Center.

"Apparently the whole PC was shocked that Wendy Choo was released," Alvarez reported (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News).

Choo was the biggest name in WWE's latest batch of roster cuts, most of whom were in the company's developmental system. Choo was an NXT veteran who debuted in 2018, and she claimed her first title in her WWE career when she won the Evolve Women's Championship earlier this year. Her 70-day title reign ended over the summer with a loss to Nikkita Lyons.

In addition to her recent push inside the ring, Choo also appeared on WWE LFG as a player-coach, working with younger talents vying for a developmental contract.

It's clear that Choo had the respect of those who worked with her, so she should have no trouble getting opportunities to continue her wrestling career in other promotions.

New Details on New Day's Rumored WWE Pay Cut

After rumors surfaced that Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed were asked by WWE to take a 75 percent pay cut, it now sounds like that figure is a bit exaggerated.

During an episode of Grilling JR, Conrad Thompson claimed that Kingston and Creed, who performed as New Day in WWE and are now known as New Level in AEW, were asked to give up 75 percent of their pay in their new deal before they ultimately turned down the offer and parted ways with the company.

However, Bryan Alvarez debunked that report while speaking on Wrestling Observer Live, saying the requested pay cut was similar to what other former WWE Superstars have seen.

"There was a story that The New Level were told to take a 75 percent pay cut. That is not the number," Alvarez said (h/t Felix Upton of Ringside News). "I was told by people who know these guys that it was just over 50 percent. Ridge Holland just happened to come out and announce his requested pay cut was 56 percent, and that is exactly what The New Level was asked to take—56 percent, just over 50 percent."

During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show last week, Kingston confirmed that he and Creed were asked to take a pay cut of "more than 50 percent." He added that it was clear the duo didn't feel the proposed terms reflected their contributions to the company.

"We just thought that the terms that they wanted us to perform under were not fair based on what we brought to the table, based on what we're worth, based on the knowledge and prowess that we have as performers, as wrestlers, what we can give back to younger people, what we do from a point of entertainment," Kingston said.

New Details on Royce Keys' 946 Faction

It sounds like Royce Keys had more control over the formation of his new 946 faction than initially realized.

According to a recent report from False Finish (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), sources said that Keys hand-picked OTM's Bronco Nima and Lucien Price out of NXT to join him on the main roster in his feud against Jacob Fatu and The Bloodline. The report also noted that Keys will be presented as the sole leader of the group, with Nima and Price operating under him.

Per Carrier, False Finish also reported that sources said there is a possibility that another member could eventually be added to 946. The current lineup is expected to remain intact for the time being, but WWE could expand the group once it gets more established.

WWE has already filmed promotional material explaining the faction's origins, and the trio recently shot vignettes in Orlando to provide more background.

It was previously reported that OTM's move to Monday Night Raw alongside Keys received positive reactions, so it sounds like the group is positioned for some major opportunities going forward.