How Much Does An Average WWE Wrestler Make?

How much does an average WWE wrestler make? This is a question that many fans of professional wrestling ask. While the answer may vary depending on a wrestler’s experience and success, there is a general range that most wrestlers fall into.

On average, a WWE wrestler can expect to make anywhere from $500,000 to $1 million per year. Of course, there are some wrestlers who make more than this, and some who make less. But this is a good estimate of what

WWE Salaries

WWE is a company that has been shrouded in secrecy when it comes to the salaries of their wrestlers. Although we do have a general idea, thanks to a few leaks here and there, the company does its best to keep exact numbers under wraps. In this article, we’ll take a look at what we do know and try to come up with an estimate for how much the average WWE wrestler makes.

Base Salary

While the average WWE wrestler made $500,000 in 2016, wrestlers on the main roster can make anything from $30,000 to $1 million-plus per year, according to Forbes. The top earners in WWE are John Cena and Brock Lesnar, who made $10 million and $6.5 million respectively in 2016.

Bonuses

In addition to their base salary, WWE performers also receive bonuses in the form of “special appearances” and merchandise sales royalties. While the company does not release official numbers, it is widely believed that these royalties make up a significant portion of a wrestlers’ total income.

According to Wrestling News World, the average WWE performer made $550,000 in 2016. However, this number is likely skewed by the high salaries of the company’s top stars. A more realistic estimate for an average wrestler’s salary is probably closer to $100,000-$200,000.

While this may seem like a lot of money, it’s important to remember that WWE performers are effectively independent contractors. They are not guaranteed a set salary or number of dates per year, and they do not receive any fringe benefits like health insurance or a retirement plan.

Wrestlers also have to pay for their own travel expenses and training costs. As a result, many wrestlers supplement their income with other forms of employment when they are not performing for WWE.

Merchandise Sales

Former wrestlers have said that the company takes a 60/40 split of merchandise sales, with 60% going to WWE and 40% going to the talent.

Pay-Per-View Bonuses

In addition to their base salary, WWE wrestlers also receive a portion of the revenue generated by PPVs. The amount each wrestler receives is determined by their place on the card, with main eventers earning the most and lower-card talent getting a smaller cut. While the company does not release official numbers, former WWE employees have estimated that wrestlers at the top of the card can make upwards of $1 million per year from PPV bonuses alone.

The Highest Paid WWE Superstars

In 2018, the highest paid WWE wrestler was Brock Lesnar, who made $10 million.This was followed by Triple H, who made $3.3 million, and then by Roman Reigns, who made $2.5 million. The average WWE wrestler made $500,000 in 2018.

Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar is one of the highest paid WWE Superstars. He reportedly earns a base salary of $5 million per year, and his total pay packet is thought to be worth $12 million. Lesnar is also said to have a “$1.5 million annual bonus” for appearing on WWE programming.

John Cena

As of 2019, John Cena’s net worth is $55 million. He is currently signed to WWE and appears on both Raw and SmackDown brands. In addition to his professional wrestling career, Cena has also ventured into acting, rap music, and reality television. He has also hosted several shows on the USA Network.

Triple H

Triple H, real name Paul Michael Levesque, is an American business executive, professional wrestler, and actor. He has an estimated net worth of $40 million as of 2020. He is currently the Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy & Development for WWE.

Triple H has been with WWE for over 25 years and is one of the most recognizable faces in the company. He is a 14-time world champion and has held the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, Intercontinental Championship, European Championship, and Tag Team Championship. He is also a two-time Royal Rumble winner and a King of the Ring winner.

The Lowest Paid WWE Superstars

WWE superstars are some of the lowest paid athletes in the world. The average WWE superstar made $500,000 in 2016. That figure is a far cry from the $5 million made by the average NFL player. The low salaries are due to the fact that WWE is a privately owned company and does not have to share its profits with shareholders.

Mojo Rawley

He may not be the most popular WWE superstar, but Mojo Rawley is still paid quite well for his in-ring antics. According to paycheck estimates, Mojo Rawley rakes in $500,000 per year from his WWE contract. Not too shabby for a guy who doesn’t always make it on television!

Curt Hawkins

Curt Hawkins is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where he competes on the SmackDown brand. Hawkins is a former one-time WWE Tag Team Champion with Zack Ryder. He is also a former two-time ECW Champion and a one-time World Tag Team Champion (with Zack Ryder) in WWE’s developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW).
On the independent circuit, he was best known for his work in Pro Wrestling Syndicate (PWS), where he held the PWS Heavyweight Championship for almost two years.

Hawkins was born in New York City, on December 21, 1985. He attended St. John’s Preparatory School in Astoria, Queens, until 2003. Hawkins then graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in psychology.

Heath Slater

Heath Miller Slater is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand. Slater is a former one-time WWE Tag Team Champion, with Rhyno.
Slater first started wrestling in 2002 on the independent circuit under the ring name Heath Wallace. After competing in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) and World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW), he signed a developmental contract with WWE in 2006 and was assigned to their developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). In November 2007, he was moved to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), WWE’s then-developmental territory. He was promoted to the main roster in 2010 as part of The Nexus.

Conclusion

In conclusion, WWE wrestlers make a pretty penny. The average WWE wrestler make around $500,000 a year. Of course, this number is skewed by the top earners in WWE. The top wrestlers in WWE make millions of dollars a year. However, even the bottom wrestlers on the totem pole make a comfortable living. So, if you ever wanted to become a professional wrestler, now you know how much you could potentially earn.