10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Jan 13)
6. Alex Riley Turned Down A 200k Gig To Join WWE
During the same podcast interview this nugget of information was gleaned from, Alex Riley said he would one day reveal details of a backstage incident involving John Cena. Apparently, that issue is why Riley was shoved out of the picture by WWE in May, 2016.
Appearing on The Ross Report, Riley told Jim Ross all about the continued desire he has to be a pro wrestler. Making his main roster debut as part of the original NXT concept, Riley was mentored on screen by The Miz. Years earlier Alex had actually given up significant financial comfort to join Florida Championship Wrestling, then WWE's developmental territory.
Set to be offered $200,000 per year by a medical practice, Riley desperately wanted to sign a WWE contract instead. There was one problem, WWE were offering the man around $500 per week, a huge drop from the job he was mulling over outside of wrestling.
Eventually, Riley was able to convince WWE on a $40,000 per year contract. Although this was nowhere near the 200k mark, the wrestler in him made the choice easy.