Christian Cage delivered another memorable verbal shot during the September 2 episode of AEW Dynamite, this time appearing to reference reports of WWE stars being offered significantly reduced contracts.

The heated segment began with Matt and Nicholas Jackson discussing their defeat at All In. Matt said he would not complain about being “screwed or cheated,” although he questioned why Copeland and Cage needed to secure the victory in the manner they did.

FTR soon interrupted alongside Stokely Hathaway, who argued that Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler remained the only tag team that truly mattered.

Harwood reminded everyone that FTR had previously defeated both the Young Bucks and the team of Copeland and Cage. He declared that “daddy’s home” before revealing FTR’s ambition to become four-time AEW World Tag Team Champions.

Matt responded by acknowledging FTR’s victory over the Bucks, but quickly pointed out that the Bucks had also defeated them. He then mocked FTR for previously saying “I quit,” causing tensions between the teams to rise.

Copeland and Christian Cage eventually arrived, with Cage wasting little time addressing the controversial way they retained their titles at All In.

“They don’t ask how you won, they ask who won.”

Cage then delivered a cutting remark that appeared to reference recent reports about contract negotiations involving WWE talent.

“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 appeared to be aimed at reports involving Kofi and Austin Creed, formerly known together as part of The New Day. The pair recently confirmed that they left WWE after TKO management reportedly asked them to accept pay reductions of more than 50%.

Kofi and Creed have since joined AEW, where they now compete as The New Level alongside Swerve Strickland.

Copeland later admitted that he was unhappy with the way he and Cage defeated the Young Bucks and FTR. However, he believed both teams had earned another opportunity to challenge for the AEW World Tag Team Championship.

He proposed a three-way championship match at All Out featuring chairs, tables and, most importantly, ladders.

With Copeland and Cage preparing to defend their titles against FTR and the Young Bucks, the rivalry now carries an extra dose of real-world tension.

AEW World Tag Team Champions @RatedRCope & @Christian4Peeps want a 3-Way Match against @YoungBucks & FTR at #AEWAllOut involving chairs, tables and ladders!

Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/CoCpnbqHbB

, All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 3, 2026

What did you make of Christian Cage’s comment, and are you excited for the potential three-way ladder match? Let us know in the comments.