Karrion Kross and Scarlett are allegedly charging top dollar for indie bookings after their WWE exit — but a new update suggests there may be more to the story than just high rates and a clean break from the company.
While some in the indie scene aren’t convinced the duo truly left WWE, Kross publicly stated that his exit was legitimate and abrupt.
“Contrary to what people think, it wasn’t a work. I was given 24 hours to accept a new contract, and then it was off the table. I’m a free agent.”
However, Billi Bhatti shared a different perspective on the Dirty Sheets Wrestling Informer podcast — one that paints Kross’ exit as part of a calculated gamble. According to Bhatti, Kross intentionally let his contract expire to launch a storyline built on real-world intrigue and fan demand.
“Karrion Kross allowing his contract to expire. Listen to the choice of words — that Karrion Kross allowed his contract to expire — and this definitely adds weight to a private conversation I had with Disco Inferno… He alluded to the fact that Kross was very calm about his contract situation and that he had things in the pipeline, including acting stuff… and had absolutely no interest in going to AEW. He only wants to wrestle for WWE or he will move into acting.”
Bhatti said WWE actually wanted to re-sign Kross, but Kross felt he could increase his value by exiting in a way that would stir up attention — and hopefully demand.
“This is a big gamble because WWE were actually the ones who were keen to re-sign Kross, and Kross has decided to go headfirst into the storyline… and thinks that the fans will demand that Kross is rehired by WWE.”
The idea reportedly has the support of Paul Heyman, and the working plan is to keep things as real as possible while letting Kross wrestle elsewhere and fuel speculation — all without a contract in place.
“WWE’s preference… was just to give Karrion Kross a contract immediately, but Kross feels he can increase his worth by actually playing up the contract expiration… if they sell this for a one-month, six-week, eight-week period — however long it takes — they feel like there will be momentum.”
According to Bhatti, both sides are on the same page — but it’s still risky, because nothing is guaranteed. It’s all based on the assumption that fans will respond loudly enough to force WWE’s hand.
“Paul Heyman was on side with Kross and Scarlett when pitching this. He’s a big supporter of him… Now this could massively backfire — if there is absolutely zero reaction to this, then this will backfire, and WWE are well within their rights to not hire Karrion Kross back because nothing is in writing.”
Bhatti also revealed that Kross plans to lean into this storyline hard — including producing his own videos, possibly criticizing WWE, and taking select indie dates — all in an attempt to stir up fan demand for his return.
“Kross is going to go and do a lot more. He’s going to wrestle elsewhere, produce his own videos, even say some negative things about WWE… really create this demand for WWE to bring Kross back.”
Still, it’s a high-stakes bet. If it doesn’t work, Kross may have burned a bridge and find himself without a major wrestling home — but according to Disco Inferno, Kross has backup plans.
“He’s turned down a new contract and gone down this path, gambling on WWE offering him a contract later on… but if it doesn’t, Karrion Kross is a man without a job in wrestling… Apparently, according to Disco Inferno, he’s happy to go and do something else. He’s confident that he can go and crack Hollywood and already has an acting agent and other creative irons in the fire as well.”
Kross and Scarlett are currently set to appear at The Big Event NY’s “EXS Entertainment x Sports Expo” on November 15 in Brentwood, New York — their first major appearance since leaving WWE.
If Karrion Kross pulls this off, he could return to WWE hotter than ever — riding a wave of fan demand and proving he doesn’t need to play it safe. But if the crowd stays quiet? He might’ve just walked away from a guaranteed deal for nothing. It’s a bold move… now let’s see if it pays off.
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Do you think Karrion Kross is playing this right by betting on himself or do you think it will backfire? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
