Former WWE Superstar Kevin Thron broke down the dollars and cents behind a true WWE salary compared to what an established veteran can make by working with smaller promotions:
"There [were] guys that were just starting when I was there because they weren’t being used, but theywere brought to TVs two nights, so they had to pay hotel, rent a car, food while they’re there, and everything else, and they’re only making $500, $600 a week because they’ve already blown through their downside. So with taxes and everything else, guys are getting $75,000 to $150,000 downsides. By the time you pay taxes, your road expenses, and everything else, really and truly, you’re only making $40,000, $35,000. So what’s the point?"
He is speaking on the terms of someone like Matt Hardy returning to WWE. So the average pay ranged from $75,000 to $150,00 per year. He says that after paying your way for traveling expenses and taxes you are left with about half to less than half of what you make. I am sure there has to be something missing here. I can't see someone that shows up at every Raw, every ppv, AND does house shows only bringing home $40,000 when all things are said and done. If this were true, I doubt a lot of the wrestlers would stay for as many years as they have. He must be missing something. Like what about merch sales? If I read correctly, they all get a cut of their own merch sales, something like 15% I think.
What do you guys think? Is this all they really make or do you think Kevin is a bit outdated with his statistics?
EDIT: I just realized he is speaking of veterans (what? I'm tired!) but still, this seems low to me.
"There [were] guys that were just starting when I was there because they weren’t being used, but theywere brought to TVs two nights, so they had to pay hotel, rent a car, food while they’re there, and everything else, and they’re only making $500, $600 a week because they’ve already blown through their downside. So with taxes and everything else, guys are getting $75,000 to $150,000 downsides. By the time you pay taxes, your road expenses, and everything else, really and truly, you’re only making $40,000, $35,000. So what’s the point?"
He is speaking on the terms of someone like Matt Hardy returning to WWE. So the average pay ranged from $75,000 to $150,00 per year. He says that after paying your way for traveling expenses and taxes you are left with about half to less than half of what you make. I am sure there has to be something missing here. I can't see someone that shows up at every Raw, every ppv, AND does house shows only bringing home $40,000 when all things are said and done. If this were true, I doubt a lot of the wrestlers would stay for as many years as they have. He must be missing something. Like what about merch sales? If I read correctly, they all get a cut of their own merch sales, something like 15% I think.
What do you guys think? Is this all they really make or do you think Kevin is a bit outdated with his statistics?
EDIT: I just realized he is speaking of veterans (what? I'm tired!) but still, this seems low to me.
Last edited:
: