Karrion Kross and his wife Scarlett‘s run with WWE came to an unexpected end on August 10, marking a sudden conclusion to their second tenure with the company. The announcement came as contract renewal talks reportedly fell apart, with Kross revealing serious issues in the negotiation process, including the exclusion of Scarlett from any new deal offers.
Details Emerge on Termination of WWE Contracts for Kross and Scarlett
The WWE promotion based in Stamford chose to part ways with the real-life couple following weeks of ongoing speculation about their contract status. Karrion Kross made the news public on the same day their contracts expired by posting a video on his YouTube channel.
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Kross explained that WWE never presented Scarlett with a contract renewal proposal, despite her integral role in their joint WWE storyline. He recounted being told that his deal would be negotiated first, with Scarlett’s dealt with only afterward, a breakdown from their previous approach where both were handled simultaneously.
“There was no offer to her. I was told at one point, because I did inquire, ‘After we deal with you, we’ll deal with her.’ I don’t see why we couldn’t have done things the way we did them before where we do the deals together.” —Karrion Kross, Former WWE Star
This revelation sheds light on a divided negotiation process that strained the couple’s standing with WWE, ultimately leading to Scarlett being left outside contract discussions.
Kross Describes Pressure and Lack of Transparency in WWE’s Offer
Karrion Kross disclosed that his amended contract offer came only in the final week before his previous deal ended, accompanied by an ultimatum to accept within 24 hours or have the offer withdrawn. He stressed his desire for transparent communication about how WWE valued the new offer, seeking data or metrics justifying the terms, but was met with refusal.
“I got the offer. I wanted to know how they came to the valuation of that offer. Just wanted some information, some metrics, some analytics that’s supporting to, Hey, this is how we got here. When I inquired about that, they were unwilling to provide that information and told me they had 24 hours to agree to the offer or they were [rescinding] it. The next day, we talk. I ask if they have the information. They don’t. I said, I can’t make an informed decision without the information. I’d like to keep the dialogue open. They [rescinded] the offer, and that’s actually where we’re at.” —Karrion Kross, Former WWE Star
The lack of clarity and the tight deadline Kross faced created an untenable situation, with WWE rescinding the offer after failing to provide the requested valuation data, effectively ending negotiations.
Kross Refutes Rumors That WWE Exit Was a Staged Plot
Addressing persistent rumors that his departure was a planned storyline or “work,” Kross insisted his statements were genuine and represented a real breakdown in talks. He expressed frustration about the inability to hold a fair value discussion, a critical part of his reasoning to decline the offer without transparent information.
Kross’ final WWE match occurred at SummerSlam, where he was defeated by Sami Zayn in a bout Kross felt did not meet his professional expectations.
Impact of Negotiation Breakdown on Kross and Scarlett’s WWE Future
The failed contract negotiations and the exclusion of Scarlett have left the couple’s future outside WWE uncertain. Their departure removes them from ongoing storylines and impacts WWE’s roster plans. Speculation has arisen online about potential comeback scenarios or other wrestling promotions signing the duo, but no official developments have been announced.
Given WWE’s history of sudden contract decisions and last-minute deal reversals, industry insiders will likely watch for possible re-signing opportunities or alternative appearances elsewhere.
Additional Wrestling Industry Developments
In the wake of Kross and Scarlett‘s exit, other WWE news surfaced, including concerns over Naomi’s injury status ahead of the August 11 WWE RAW episode. Meanwhile, TKO Group, the parent company of WWE and UFC, revealed a major new partnership with Paramount, signaling a new direction that could affect WWE’s pay-per-view model and content distribution.
Notably, WWE’s ongoing internal shifts include a recent forced acceleration of a star’s heel turn led by Triple H, as well as public updates regarding injuries among performers and the emotional impact of Hulk Hogan’s passing on Vince McMahon.
Taken together, the upheaval surrounding Karrion Kross’ WWE contract negotiation saga reflects broader tension within the wrestling world, underlining challenges in talent relations and evolving business strategies.
