I’ve read various recent reports about TNA contracts that are coming up for renewal, the most recent concerning current New Japan Tag Team Champions, The Motor City Machine Gun (Alex Shelly (also TNA X Division Champion) & Chris Sabin), and one half of the TNA Champion, Beer Money Tag Team, Robert Roode.
Reports are WWE is interested in Robert Roode, a rumor I’ve not heard from WWE.
Regardless expect Robert Roode to resign with TNA.
As to Chris Sabin & Alex Shelly, while the team has enjoyed a few rocky moments in TNA, particularly Shelly, expect both to be offered renewal deals, and I’d be shocked if either did not resign. The suggestion that either could make a living in ROH, Japan etc. that would compare to what they will likely be offered by TNA is simply off base.
Please note that fulltime spots in Japan are few and that New Japan relationship with TNA helped get Shelly & Sabin there, and as Tag Champions they will return unless they drop the titles in TNA to a New Japan team in the US, which is possible. Prior to that Sabin had been to All Japan a few times, but had not be requested after that, and both were in 01Max where they are still tag champions, but 01Max has not had them back since they won the titles well over a year ago. All of the Japan companies have cut down on bringing in US talent. New Japan is doing the most by using TNA stars on a few shows but only has two US guys fulltime, Giant Bernard & Karl Anderson.
Even if Shelly and/or Sabin worked "fulltime" in ROH, ROH is not in a position now to pay more than a few wrestlers more than $500 a shot, much less the $750 a few get currently, and I’d expect that ROH will try to reduce fees before growing them at this point. ROH will promote 40-45 events most likely so if the pay was $500, that’s $22,500. Add in US indies and occasional Japan stuff and they’d end up making maybe $35,000 a year, maybe a little more of less. Regardless this would be a significant drop in pay for both.
Both Shelly & Sabin are being treated pretty well now in TNA.
I expect them to be renewed too.
