How Much do WWE Wrestlers Make?

Considering the unique combination of athletic prowess and showmanship needed to become a WWE superstar, it’s no surprise that many fans are curious about how much WWE wrestlers earn.

However, finding this information is not easy because the pay structure for WWE superstars can be confusing, and the company is not very forthcoming with this information.

Previously, wrestlers were paid in a pay sheet structure, earning a percentage of the royalties earned from their pay-per-view events.

Now, according to former wrestlers Maven, Mace, and Mansoor, wrestlers are paid through the bucket system.

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With the bucket system, WWE wrestlers receive weekly payment for being on the roster, whether or not they appear in any events.

Wrestlers can also contribute a hidden fee to a bucket with every appearance, which will pay out once they reach a certain threshold.

For example, with a downside guarantee of $125,000, a superstar may get hidden payments of $1,000 for every appearance. They will get these royalties if they reach their downside amount and their merchandise sales outperform this total.

On top of this, wrestlers can earn bonuses through making main event appearances, money from merchandising and video game licensing, and other business avenues.

Overall, it’s tricky to determine what WWE salaries are precisely, so we’ve made this page to get you to the right answers. Read on to discover the wrestlers with the highest salaries and the top net worths.

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WWE Wrestler Salaries 2024

It’s worth noting that unlike in other sports, where athlete salaries are readily available to the public, the WWE is famously secretive with its payments.

More information about how WWE salaries work has become public in recent times, with former wrestlers coming out to reveal behind-the-scenes secrets. Additionally, high-ranking WWE officials have also revealed insights into the pay structure.

However, the specifics of each wrestler’s pay packet remain unconfirmed.

The information below is from reliable sources connected to the wrestling industry but may not be exact. However, it should give you a decent picture of how the WWE values its superstars. Check out the ten highest-paid active WWE wrestlers. 

What may surprise WWE fans is that Brock Lesnar sits at the top of this list. While The Beast Incarnate is a popular wrestler, he does not regularly appear on WWE broadcasts.

However, Lesnar has headlined several huge events, including headlining five WrestleManias. Attracting the star who ended The Undertaker’s WrestleMania undefeated streak clearly costs the WWE a pretty penny.

The rest of the list contains WWE stars who make regular appearances on either SmackDown or Raw, including company veterans like long-time heel Randy Orton. As you can see by the longest WWE Champion in WWE history sitting near the top of this list, the salaries reflect wrestlers’ standings among fans.

However, the importance of wrestlers to the organization is also considered. The Miz has never been the most technically proficient or spectacular wrestler, but his heel persona has contributed to countless WWE storylines and is reflected in his remuneration.

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Highest Paid WWE Wrestler in 2024

While the figures above reflect the WWE wrestler with the highest salary in 2024, they don’t reveal which wrestler actually earned the most money. Sure, the WWE salary contributes significantly to this total, but wrestlers collect money from several revenue streams.

For example, the salary figure does not include how much superstars earned in royalties from official WWE merchandise. Additionally, most wrestlers are paid an appearance fee for participating in events like SummerSlam and WrestleMania. These fees aren’t included in the basic salary figures.

Of course, in the current bucket system, WWE superstars don’t earn royalties unless they reach the downside threshold, which requires working shows.

However, WWE keeps the exact details of these contracts under wraps, so even with insight from former stars, we’re not exactly sure which superstars received the most money in 2024 beyond speculated salary figures.

What is the Minimum Salary for WWE Superstars?

While the WWE is famously secretive about the salaries of its superstars, fans got an insight into the minimum salary in 2022 when The Athletic interviewed Triple H.

During the interview, he revealed the minimum salary for WWE superstars on the SmackDown or Raw roster was $250,000.

Since then, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has revealed that the minimum salary for the WWE’s flagship rosters will be $350,000 in 2024. It’s worth noting that no official WWE figures have confirmed this.

The salary increase reflects the WWE’s recent success following the merger between the WWE and UFC, which has seen a shift towards embracing streaming rather than traditional syndication.

Of course, the minimum salary for WWE superstars is reserved for the wrestlers with the least experience on the WWE’s flagship rosters. For example, wrestlers recently promoted from NXT are often paid at the minimum salary. However, the WWE provides more significant salaries based on the experience and popularity of certain superstars.

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Top Paid Wrestling Stars

While the base salary of a WWE wrestler is one thing, it doesn’t indicate which superstar is the best paid. The WWE salary doesn’t include additional fees like bonuses for main event appearances and merchandising.

Additionally, many wrestlers are entertainers with business interests outside of performing, including acting and operating companies. That’s why Brock Lesnar is the highest-compensated WWE wrestler, but he only has the eighth-highest net worth.

Unsurprisingly, the WWE superstar with the highest net worth is Vince McMahon.

He operated WWE from its inception until its acquisition in 2023, which formed TKO Group Holdings. He also joined this group as executive chairman.

Even after stepping down in January 2024, Vince McMahon’s accumulative worth from operating WWE all these years has earned him a net worth of $2.5 billion, well above anyone else on the list.

The highest-paid actor in 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2021, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has the second-highest net worth of WWE superstars.

At this point in his career, The Rock only makes occasional wrestling appearances, like at WrestleMania 40. Most of his net worth comes from his acting career, appearing in movies like Black Adam, Jumanji, and Shaw and Hobbes, scoring him a net worth of $800 million.

Following these two are Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, who make occasional WWE wrestling appearances while managing the wrestling production company moving forward. McMahon is the Chief Brand Officer (CBO), while Triple H is the Chief Content Officer. Both have a net worth of $250 million.

Rounding out the top five highest-paid wrestlers is John Cena, who has a net worth of $80 million. While Cena still makes regular appearances in the ring, he is scheduled to retire in December 2025. He has already expanded his business interests outside the ring, appearing in movies such as the Fast and Furious franchise and starring in the Peacemaker TV show.

FAQs: Common Questions About WWE Salaries

Do WWE Wrestlers Get Paid Weekly?

Yes, WWE wrestlers do get paid weekly. According to an interview featuring former WWE superstars Maven, Mace, and Mansoor, they receive money each week regardless of how many shows they work or wrestle.

Who is the Richest WWE Wrestler?

The WWE wrestler or former wrestler with the highest net worth in 2024 is Vince McMahon, whose net worth is $2.5 billion. However, the wealthiest active wrestler by net worth is The Rock, whose net worth is around $800 million.

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