10 Main Event Wrestlers Who Were Paid SIGNIFICANTLY More Than Their Opponents
‘Here comes the money’ for some and not so much for others.
Scott Hall once said “It comes back to what Chief Jay Strongbow told us years ago, 'In this business you can make friends or you can make money'. And I remember looking’ at Kev and X-Pac and going, I already got some friends, I'd like the money.”
The pro wrestling industry and money have a long-standing relationship, with Superstars like Chris Jericho, Steve Austin and John Cena becoming multi-millionaires from their time spent in the squared circle.
Recently WWE’s shows in Saudi Arabia have turned out hugely profitable for performers on the card, with Brock Lesnar and Goldberg being paid well into the seven-figure region for matches that lasted less than 5 minutes long. Crown Jewel in 2018 even coughed up enough money for Shawn Michaels to break his highly regarded retirement. The emergence of AEW too has caused considerable pay increases for some in WWE, with talent like Randy Orton getting a major bump in pay (for a reduced schedule) after teasing jumping ship.
Wrestlers are always chasing after the big payday. And when they finally get it, it often means there are some ridiculous gaps in pay between them and their future opponents who aren’t so financially lucky.
These big, fat paycheques must have more than compensated for result in the ring...