Former WWE commentator Jonathan Coachman recently issued a strong response to WWE’s handling of contract renegotiations following Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods’ departure from the company.
He posted what he called an “emergency wrestling take” on social media, warning that the situation could have widespread consequences for the locker room.
Coachman didn’t mince words about WWE asking talent to renegotiate existing deals. He framed it as a fundamental shift in how the company operates under the TKO system.
“My emergency wrestling take: why asking talent to renegotiate is just the start of a slippery slope that feels like an absolute power struggle backstage,” Coachman posted on his social media.
Coachman Compares Current WWE to Vince McMahon Era
The veteran broadcaster drew a sharp contrast between current WWE practices and how things operated during Vince McMahon’s tenure. He emphasized that contract renegotiations after deals were already signed simply didn’t happen during his time with the company.
“In my entire time in the WWE… never once did I hear of Vince McMahon asking a talent after they had already agreed to a deal,” Coachman stated in his video.
He warned that The New Day’s exit is just the beginning if WWE continues this approach.
“It’s not going to stop with The New Day. And this is why it’s such a problem.”
Respect and Fairness at the Core of the Issue
Coachman broke down why he believes Kingston and Woods chose to leave, pointing to respect as the central issue. He argued that asking talent to renegotiate existing agreements sends the wrong message.
“If you’re going to disrespect me… that’s exactly what it is,” Coachman explained. “At some point, fairness has got to bleed into the conversation.”
He predicted that WWE could see an exodus of talent if the pattern continues.
“Now you’re going to start to see it go the other way… when all these talents start to leave,” he warned.
Coachman closed his take with a blunt assessment of the renegotiation strategy.
“Renegotiation. That ain’t it.”
The comments add another voice to the growing conversation about WWE’s contract practices under TKO ownership. What began as a story about The New Day’s departure has evolved into a broader discussion about talent relations and business practices in the company.
