10 Wrestling Facts We Didn’t Know Last Week (May 24)
8. Ryback Made $35,000 For A 20-Day WWE Tour
It'd be easy to discount Ryback's podcast ramblings as sour grapes from an ex-WWE employee. He's often outspoken about life in the company, and no episode whizzes by without Ryback taking pot shots at things WWE could've done better during his run. On occasion though, he talks money, and that makes his show a fascinating listen.
On the latest episode of 'Conversations With The Big Guy', the former IC Champ said he made $35,000 for a 20-day WWE tour. Doesn't sound like a pittance, does it? Well, not so fast. Ryback was headlining every night of the near three-week jaunt, and he claims he was paid significantly less than other stars on the same level.
His pay also fluctuated.
When he was dropped down the card and started working longer, more competitive matches, Ryback's wage for similar tours floated around the $15,000-16,000 range. Looking back, he thinks it was difficult to complain to management because he didn't have cold, hard numbers showing what others made.