AEW's Christian Cage Mocks WWE Stars Over Reported 50% Pay Cuts
Wrestlezone · Vishal Bhawani · 2026-09-03T02:49:32+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Christian Cage had plenty to say during AEW Dynamite on Sept. 2, but one line aimed beyond the Young Bucks and FTR quickly became the talking point. While discussing their recent win, Cage and Adam Copeland, the AEW star brought real-world WWE contract reports into the mix.
The segment began with Matt and Nicholas Jackson addressing their loss at All In. Matt said he wouldn’t complain about being “screwed or cheated,” but questioned why Copeland and Cage needed to win the way they did.
FTR then interrupted, with Stokely Hathaway arguing that Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler were the only team that mattered. Harwood claimed FTR had already beaten both the Bucks and Copeland and Cage, declaring that “daddy’s home” before setting his sights on becoming four-time AEW World Tag Team Champions.
Matt fired back that FTR had beaten them, but said they had also beaten FTR back. He then took a shot at FTR for saying “I quit,” prompting tensions to rise before Copeland and Cage entered.
Christian Cage references WWE’s reported 50% pay cuts on AEW Dynamite
Cage addressed the controversy surrounding their All In victory. He said, “They don’t ask how you won, they ask who won.” Christian Cage then delivered the line that connected the segment to WWE. He stated, “I’m surprised you’re not so embarrassed that you wouldn’t consider willingly taking a 50% pay cut and going somewhere else.”
The comment referenced recent reports surrounding WWE talent, including Kofi and Austin Creed, formerly of The New Day. The duo recently confirmed they left WWE after TKO management asked them to accept a pay cut of more than 50%. They now compete in AEW as The New Level.
Copeland later acknowledged that he wasn’t happy with how they defeated the Bucks and FTR, but said both teams deserved another opportunity. He proposed a three-way title match at All Out — one involving chairs, tables and, most importantly, ladders.
With Cage and Copeland putting their AEW World Tag Team Titles on the line against the Bucks and FTR, the rivalry has officially added another layer of real-world heat to the kayfabe.
Read More: Kofi & Austin Creed Make a Statement in AEW Dynamite Debut, Retain Trios Titles