Kofi Kingston leaves Ariel Helwani stunned by revealing the pay cut WWE asked him to take

Ariel Helwani was in complete disbelief when Kofi Kingston revealed the staggering pay cut WWE asked him to take.

Back in May, WWE fans across the world were shocked to hear that both Kingston and New Day partner Xavier Woods had left the company.

Initial reports claimed that the duo had 'mutually agreed' to leave the company in the aftermath of WrestleMania 42, as the WWE went on a brutal spree of cuts.

Some had described the pair were 'WWE lifers' so it came as even more of a shock when it later emerged that the real reason for their departure was that they had been asked to take a large pay cut as part of aggressive cost-cutting measures.

Reports at the time claimed that TKO, the company that owns both WWE and the UFC, had tasked the wrestling company "with shedding millions of dollars in payroll", prompting the cuts that saw many fan favourites leave.

Now, Kingston himself has spoken out his controversial WWE exit, revealing the specific details of what the WWE offered.

“We just thought that the terms that they wanted us to perform under were not fair based on what we brought to the table," Kingston said on on The Ariel Helwani Show.

"Based on what we’re worth. Based on the knowledge and prowess that we have as performers, as wrestlers, what we can give back to the younger people, what we do from a point of entertainment, being able to go out there and garner a reaction as good guys or bad guys.”

When Kingston and Woods' exit was first reported there was plenty of chatter about the exact salary figures offered to the pair as part of the cuts, with many suggesting they had been asked to stay for 50% of the figures in their original deals.

But it has now been confirmed that in order to say with WWE Kingston would have to give up MORE than 50% of his salary.

“Compensation was definitely a big part, but more so, we wanted to work. We wanted to go out there and showcase our skills and showcase our talents. We wanted to do what we love," he added.

"We love going out there and messing with fans, threatening to ground kids, and really garner reactions to people, and send them home with incredible memories they’ll never forget."

Addressing reports about the salary offered, he said: "I don’t know exactly what’s out there. I will say it was more than 50%. A lot of people don’t know. It was more.”

READ MORE: WWE star Paige calls out 'weirdo behaviour' by fans at airport in social media rant

WWE admit to 'regret' over Kofi Kingston departure

Since their WWE departure, Kingston and Woods have gone on to make their debuts with rival organisation AEW, claiming the AEW World Trios Championship alongside Swerve Strickland.

And it appears that, four months after the controversial exit, WWE may now be regretting letting the star performers go as TC of WrestleVotes revealed that sources in the WWE had admitted they may have made a mistake with the duo.

Speaking in a Q&A session, via Ringside News, he said: "I did meet up with a source in WWE. He told me that this is the first time he thinks there is regret on WWE’s side of things for not having them come back.

"This is the first time there is a disconnect between TKO and WWE.”

Details of Kingston and Woods' contracts with AEW are not known, but it's safe to assume that they're earning plenty more than the 50% pay cut offered to them by WWE four months ago.