5. Randy Savage - Salary Expectations $425,000 And Creative Control In 1994
The December 12th 1994 Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Macho Man Randy Savage signed to WCW for $425,000. He was also given assurances of a mainstream push that would include roles in Baywatch and other commercial endeavours. He left the WWF in November of that year, with Vince McMahon taking the unusual step of addressing it on WWF television. He emotionally relayed the fact that the WWF and Savage hadn't been able to come to terms on a new contract. It was partly an issue of creative control, as Savage had wanted to work a major run with Shawn Michaels. But Vince McMahon didn't want that, instead he wanted to head in a "new generation" direction. Things became impossible when WCW came in and offered Savage $425,000 and a wrestling role. McMahon couldn't afford to pay Savage that sum, not for what had become a mostly announcing gig.