Karrion Kross and Scarlett’s recent WWE exit offered a clear example of the company’s contract strategy. Kross said he was given a new deal only days before his previous contract ended on August 10 and had just 24 hours to respond. Scarlett didn’t receive an offer at all, as WWE’s focus was on securing Kross first.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer described this last-minute, high-pressure method as a tactic WWE uses for talent it doesn’t rank as a priority.
“The idea is when it’s someone who they don’t care about, how do they do it? You know, before the thing started, I mean, I was absolutely told that like this is how—if it’s a marginal person—they will wait to the end and then they will make an offer and they will give a time frame: take it or leave it, this is your offer. And I was told that before the Kross thing.”
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Meltzer contrasted this with how WWE handles main event names, who often get approached well before their contracts are up.
“If you’re a star, if they see you as a star, they’re going to try to sign you six months ahead. Okay, that’s how it is. Sometimes it doesn’t work that way—Drew McIntyre, obviously they tried to sign him way early. He turned down offers, eventually signed, though he was always going to sign. He was never going anywhere else. But, you know, he upped his value essentially by having some really good months in the Punk feud and everything like that.”
As for Kross talking about the offer publicly, Meltzer questioned the decision.
“If you’re still in talks with them, I don’t think you’re going to tell this story. It would seem to be absolutely stupid business to tell the story if you’re still in talks with them.”
The 24-hour deadline given to Kross shows exactly where he stood in WWE’s plans. It’s a calculated move the company uses with talent it views as replaceable, marking a clear divide in how it values its roster.
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