Kurt Angle Reveals How Much He Made During His WWE Rookie Year
WWE paid Kurt Angle a LOT more than his downside guarantee during that rookie year.
Kurt Angle has revealed how much money he made during his rookie year in WWE between 1999-2000.
The Olympian turned down a huge contract in 1996 (which he regrets), but told listeners of his new podcast that he more than made up for that. In fact, after penning a contract that'd see him net a modest $75,000 per year, Kurt ended up making well over a million for his first 12 months.
That's something the incomer had told then-chief of Talent Relations Jim Ross he'd do during an early meeting. JR scoffed at Angle's suggestion, and challenged the wrestling machine to prove himself first. Kurt did, and bagged quite the tidy sum along the way.
It's even more amazing to learn that Angle's million-dollar plus earnings were barely bolstered by merchandise sales. He estimates that he made around "30 or 40 grand" from merch during that first year; Kurt was a heel, and he didn't really have a t-shirt on the market until late-2000.
He's proud of making over a million on the strength of his in-ring work alone. WWE couldn't deny that Angle had exceeded all expectations laid out for him, and Vince McMahon was happy to reward the rookie for his efforts.
Kurt made $925,000 more than anyone expected.