8 Biggest Casualties Of The WWE Network
3. Independent Extras
WWE have been recruiting local independent wrestlers to work as extras on Raw and SmackDown for years. For the company, it's a low-cost way to fill a scene with background characters (like Adam Rose's Rosebuds), and an it's easy payday for the performers. They show up for a day's work with the biggest promotion on Earth, follow the company's instructions, then leave with pockets full. Simple.
These roles weren't particularly lucrative to begin with, but the payday was cut in half as a consequence of 2014's Network-related budget cuts. Indie workers were originally paid $200, but this was slashed to $100. That's still more than many wrestlers would make for working an independent show, and a decent amount for a single day, particularly one that involves a national TV cameo. Still, many wrestlers would've seen it as a slap in the face.
WWE pay a higher fee to those who are used in matches or placed in equally physically demanding spots, and it's believed that these rates were also cut in 2014. The company still utilise outside talents when required, so the cuts haven't killed the market, but the opportunities aren't as gainful as they once were.