Professional wrestler Karrion Kross, real name Kevin Robert Kesar, has publicly clarified his contractual status with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), asserting that his contract expired last week and a renewal offer was abruptly rescinded. Speaking on "The Ariel Helwani Show" on Wednesday, Kesar stated that he was operating out of character to address what he described as widespread misconceptions about his recent departure from the global sports entertainment giant. The clarification comes amidst a period where WWE’s narrative blurring of real-life events and scripted storylines has intensified, creating confusion for both fans and industry peers.
Recent incidents within WWE have underscored the growing difficulty in discerning genuine events from kayfabe, the professional wrestling term for fictionalized portrayals. A high-profile example involved Seth Rollins’ knee injury, initially presented as a legitimate setback following an awkward landing at a "Saturday Night’s Main Event." While reports eventually confirmed it as a scripted angle, the initial ambiguity mirrored similar situations. Similarly, veteran performer Ron Killings, known as R-Truth, was reportedly released from his contract before making a swift return, despite allusions from WWE Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque (Triple H) that suggested a more complex scenario. This environment, Kross indicated, contributed to his decision to provide a direct account of his situation.
Kesar detailed the sequence of events leading to his current free agency. "The truth of the matter is…my contract was up last week," Kross told Helwani. He explained that a contract renewal offer was extended to him last Tuesday. Notably, his wife, Scarlett Bordeaux, who served as his on-screen manager and valet under the pseudonym Scarlett, did not receive a similar offer. Kross, who has consistently portrayed a menacing, apocalyptic character, emphasized the professional nature of his inquiry regarding the proposed terms.
"I got the offer," Kross stated. "I wanted to know how they came to the valuation of that offer. I just wanted, you know, some information, some metrics, some analytics that support, ‘Hey, this is how we got here.’" This request for transparency in compensation metrics is not uncommon in professional sports or entertainment, where talent often seeks to understand the basis of their contractual value, considering factors such as merchandise sales, viewership numbers, and overall impact on brand engagement.
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However, Kesar described an atypical response from WWE’s negotiation team. According to Kross, his request for additional information was met with an unusually sharp deadline. "When I inquired about that, they were unwilling to provide that information and told me I had 24 hours to agree to the offer or they would rescind it," he recounted. This tight turnaround is reportedly uncharacteristic of standard contract negotiations within the industry, which typically allow for more extended deliberation.
The following day, Kross reiterated his need for the requested data to make an informed decision. "The next day, we talk. I ask if they have the information. They don’t," he explained. "And I said, ‘I can’t make an informed decision without the information and I’d like to keep the dialogue open.’ And they rescinded the offer. And that’s…that’s actually where we’re at." This sequence of events resulted in the expiration of his existing contract without a new agreement in place, effectively making him a free agent.
Despite the abrupt conclusion to the negotiation process, Kross maintained a professional tone, expressing his disappointment but refraining from disparaging WWE. He emphasized that the lines of communication remain open from his side. "I’m at the table for conversations. I did not step out of the conversation. We still want to be there. We still want to work it out," he affirmed, indicating a desire for a potential return or a renewed agreement.
Kross also articulated a significant business reason for going public with his contractual status. He explained that WWE’s recent tendency to blur the lines between reality and fiction, coupled with the lack of clear public statements on talent departures, has created an environment of uncertainty for other wrestling promotions. He reported hearing through mutual parties that some promotions were hesitant to contact him, fearing potential accusations of contract tampering. This concern directly impacts his ability to secure bookings and explore alternative employment opportunities.
"This isn’t to disparage WWE, but because there are so many convoluted stories out there going on, and actually to even some degree affect our livelihood of what we’re supposed to be doing afterwards," Kross stated. His intention was to unequivocally clarify his availability to the broader professional wrestling market.
A key distinction in Kross’s situation is that his contract expired rather than being terminated by release. Traditionally, when WWE releases actively contracted talent, a standard non-compete clause is enforced, typically lasting 90 days for main roster performers. This clause prevents wrestlers from appearing for other major promotions during that period. However, since Kross’s contract reached its natural conclusion, he is immediately free to engage with other companies and accept bookings without any such restrictions. This legal clarity is vital for his immediate professional prospects.
This marks the second occasion Kross and Bordeaux have departed from WWE. The married couple was initially released in November 2021 as part of a larger round of talent cuts, approximately one year after their initial signing. They subsequently returned to the company in August 2022, shortly after Paul Levesque assumed creative control, ushering in a period referred to by fans as the "Triple H Era." Their return was met with considerable anticipation, with many expecting a more prominent role for the duo given their success in NXT, WWE’s developmental brand, where Kross was a two-time NXT Champion. During their most recent three-year run, Kross and Bordeaux were predominantly featured as a midcard act on the main roster, often engaged in feuds that, while providing television exposure, did not consistently elevate them to main event status.
Despite his primary positioning within the midcard, Kross experienced a notable resurgence in fan support leading up to and during WrestleMania 41. This groundswell of momentum was partly fueled by quasi-real segments and interactions conducted off WWE’s main television programming, which resonated with a segment of the fanbase. This renewed interest translated into a brief but impactful appearance at WrestleMania and subsequent pay-per-view matches against prominent figures like Sami Zayn at Night of Champions and a highly anticipated bout at SummerSlam. Furthermore, Kross became a significant merchandise mover for a period, with several of his branded shirts selling out, underscoring his connection with a dedicated audience. His character’s unique aesthetic and presentation, often accompanied by Bordeaux, had cultivated a distinct niche within WWE’s diverse roster.
The situation with Karrion Kross highlights the evolving dynamics of talent contracts and public relations within the professional wrestling industry, particularly in an era where social media and direct communication channels allow performers to bypass traditional corporate statements. While Kross has expressed his desire to continue working with WWE, his immediate freedom opens up a range of possibilities, from engagements with other major promotions like All Elite Wrestling (AEW) or Impact Wrestling to independent circuit appearances, all while potentially keeping the door open for future negotiations with WWE. The coming weeks are expected to provide further clarity on the next chapter of Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux’s professional careers.
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