Roman Reigns, one of WWE’s biggest stars, has been absent from television for some time. During his hiatus, rumors have surfaced that TKO, the parent company of WWE and UFC, is considering cutting his pay.
Given Reigns’ impact on the company’s growth in recent years, the speculation hasn’t gone over well, particularly with real-life Bloodline member Rikishi.
Rikishi Addresses the Rumors of a Pay Cut for Roman Reigns
The Anoa’i family is often hailed as the greatest dynasty in wrestling history, having produced numerous iconic performers who have captivated fans worldwide. Roman Reigns, one of the most prominent members, has elevated their legacy even further, especially through his Tribal Chief persona and the dominance of The Bloodline.
In recent years, The Bloodline has been a cornerstone of WWE programming. Even in 2025, Reigns’ involvement in storylines with CM Punk and Seth Rollins drew significant attention and brought new viewers to the brand. Despite this, rumors have surfaced suggesting the company is considering a pay cut for Reigns.
The speculation has sparked mixed reactions. Some argue that his part-time status may justify a salary adjustment. Others, like WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi, strongly disagree, pointing to Reigns’ immense contributions to the business and the unmatched star power he brings to the table.
On his “Off The Top” podcast, the Hall of Famer addressed the rumors and pointed out how much money Reigns and The Bloodline continue to bring in for the company:
“Y’all do the math every WrestleMania? With WWE and TKO and all, you can do the math? That’s a lot of money. That’s a bunch of, bunch of money. And guess whose face was on it leading that? I didn’t make this up. Y’all did. I’ve seen the same flyer you all did. Roman Reigns. Bloodline member. Jey Uso. Bloodline member. Trinity Fatu. Bloodline member.
Let’s not make stories about bullsh**. If you’re done with it, say it. You want to move on, say it. But damn it, I’ll be damned if I sit back and let you erase the history of our family of what we put into this business. Give us our flowers. We’re taking it. That’s one thing that boils Kishi’s blood up, it’s when you start to disrespect the family.”
Rikishi is clearly upset with WWE over how they’re treating Bloodline members. In the same podcast, he also criticized the company for ending Jey Uso’s title reign this past Monday.
The Hall of Famer and many fans hope for better opportunities ahead for the Anoa’i family. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.