10 Main Event Wrestlers Who Were Paid SIGNIFICANTLY More Than Their Opponents

4. Jeff Jarrett’s Paid Handsomely To Drop The Intercontinental Title

The story of Jeff Jarrett departing the WWF in 1999 has grown legendary over the years. Jarrett was Intercontinental Champion at the time and was quitting the organisation at the height of its popularity to jump ship to WCW where Vince Russo was lead writer and had always been a fan of Jarrett.

Jarrett’s contract expired one day before the No Mercy PPV, with Jarrett demanding and holding up Vince McMahon for over $300,000 to come and wrestle and drop the title to Chyna that night. McMahon gave in to his demands, and as soon as Jarrett had confirmation McMahon transferred the funds into his account he arrived at the arena, stayed away from everyone backstage (who were resentful of him for not leaving more graciously), dropped his bag by the door of the arena, went out to the ring to job to Chyna after she smashed a guitar over his head for the win, came back covered in flour from the gimmick-heavy match, grabbed his bag and immediately left for the airport without showering.

Whatever Chyna earned that night, you can guarantee it failed to match Jarrett’s hefty payday for their hardcore scrap.

Jarrett’s commented with talkSPORT on holding up Vince McMahon for money that night “Pay me everything that you’ve owed me in the past. Because at that time, there was bonuses, it was October and I was owed for September, August, July, probably June and I think we did a pay-per-view over here called Rebellion, so I had a lot of money in the pipeline coming. I said let’s approximate on the payoffs. I’ve got all these house show runs I was on. Let’s come up with a number and let me get out of your hair. I’m obviously not re-signing the offer, and that’s a whole other set of circumstances. You go your way and I’ll go my way.”