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WWE has forged some of the biggest names in sports entertainment history, allowing the likes of The Rock and John Cena to make their way into Hollywood. During rehearsals at Wrestlemania 38 weekend last year, Triple H revealed that WWE Superstars who make the main roster have a minimum salary of $250,000 a year.
Since this is only a basic salary, some Raw and SmackDown athletes are likely to receive extras through merchandising and live event appearances. On the other hand, NXT superstars are paid much less than their main roster peers.
Well-known Wrestling Observer correspondent Dave Meltzer reportedly reported that Adam Cole and Finn Balor didn't make much money when they were in the 'Black and Gold' brand. “NXT stars make about $50,000-60,000 a year early in their careers.
Top athletes in the Black and Gold brand can fetch $130,000 to $150,000 a year”.
WWE is in a transition phase
According to experts, the highest paid athlete in WWE is Brock Lesnar. The Beast makes about $10 million a year, with a guaranteed base salary of $5 million.
Next we find the 'Tribal Chief' Roman Reigns, 'still' at 5 million a year. After him there is Randy Orton, who has to 'settle' for 4.5 million a year. The likes of AJ Styles, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch receive around $3 million a year.
Even retired legends like The Undertaker and Kane are still on the WWE payroll due to their 'Legends contract' The Digger earns 2.5 million, while 'The Big Red Machine' receives 900,000 dollars. In an interview with ESPN, Undertaker praised the current champion of the United States Austin Theory: “Theory is destined to do great things in this business.
He is extraordinarily talented, but has yet to develop a number of skills. Once he puts all the pieces of the puzzle together, he's going to be a force of nature." Paul "Triple H" Levesque, throughout his storied career in the Stamford-based promotion, has had quite a few alarming injuries.
"One thing that Triple H had told me, having experienced a lot of injuries and being able to come back successfully from it, was set little goals for yourself, little goals. The big goal, obviously, is get to the dance, right? But the little goal is lift, you know, six pounds instead of three today, do ten reps instead of eight.
Don't tell anyone, don't put it on a medical report, but I popped my eardrums. So, what a night not to hear that much. But I could hear them loud enough and it's a beautiful moment," he said.