Classic WWF Wrestler Pay MegaThread

[warriorlynx]

I'm starting a MegaThread through research on how much Classic WWF wrestlers and other talent made (as in the WWF prior to 2002 for now) and plan to keep this updated. You can also post if you want to contribute and any additional posts are for big updates.

MAIN EVENTERS
(main-evented at least one PPV or major show in the WWWF or WWF prior to 2002)

Hulk Hogan
- $90,000 for SummerSlam 1991 (75,000 gate, 15,000 bonus)***
- $300,000 per Saturday Night's Main Event (HTM as a source)
- $1 Million for Wrestlemania 1 (King Kong Bundy as a source, claimed Hogan told him) or $75,000 to $100,000 (Wrestling Observer) 
- $750,000 payout at Wrestlemania III (Dave Meltzer, Jesse Ventura alleges Hulk Hogan got more than everyone combined)
- Marvel's cut for the use of "Hulk": $0.90 per $100 for merch (lower if other wrestlers involved), 1% *.90 of gross direct sales merch, 10% of Management Fee owed to WWF for non-WWF projects, $100 per match

Andre the Giant
- $400,000/yr earnings reported in 1974, a Guinness Book of World Record at the time (WWE as the source)
- $750,000 payout at Wrestlemania III plus an additional bonus of $250,000 (Dave Meltzer)
- $750,000/yr in earnings in the mid-80s (CBC Canada as the source)

Macho Man Randy Savage
- $75,000 for SummerSlam 1991***
- $1 Million in earnings during his 1988-89 WWF title run (WhatCulture)
- Up to $500,000 in his first year in the WWF (ProWrestling Stories)
- Est. $500,000 in his final year in the WWF (Bruce Prichard as a source).

Ultimate Warrior
- Royalty raised to 30% for all merch, 12.5% for video cassettes (that feature wrestler exclusively) and 10% for unlicensed merch/direct sales in 1992
- $1.3 Million paid from August 1990-91 (before dispute payout)***
- $550,000 paid in 1991 dispute for Wrestlemania VII***
- House show payout increased to 4-5% of net, royalties increased further in 1991 dispute***
- $75,000 for SummerSlam 1991***
- $1,000,000 for 18 months of work in 1996. Additional $2500 per day in excess of 14 days of work in any month. 12% of gross profit of Warrior comic is paid to the WWF.***
- Was offered $750,000/yr in 1997, but refused***
See Standard Contracts section for 1987 deal below

Bret "the Hitman" Hart
- $2,000 for Wrestlemania 2, was paid an additional $2000 after a complaint of a low payout (Bret Hart's book)
- $15,000 for Wrestlemania III (Bret Hart's book p.219)
- $10,000 from SummerSlam 1989 (Bret Hart's book)
- $17,500 for SummerSlam 1991***
- 1996 Deal -> $1.5 million/yr for three years, $500,000/yr for ten additional years, $250,000/yr final seven years (Wrestling Observer)

Stone Cold Steve Austin
- $5 Million earnings for 1998 (Forbes)
- $12 Million earnings avg per year after 1998 (ex-wife Debra as the source)

The Rock (Dwayne Johnson)
- $15 Million/yr in earnings reported in 2001, unclear if this includes book earnings, "The Mummy Returns" and the Scorpion King deal which was made prior to filming TMR (claimed by the Rock in Ebony Magazine July 2001 issue)

Shawn Michaels
- $750,000/yr from 1996 and when Shawn was injured continued to receive pay (Shawn Michaels book pg.241, Jim Ross also confirms)

Sid Justice/Psycho Sid
- $150,000 for Wrestlemania 8 (Sid as the source)

Chris Jericho
- $450,000/yr plus bonuses for 3 years from 1999 (Jericho as the source)

Rowdy Roddy Piper
- $75,000 for Wrestlemania 1 (Wrestling Observer)

Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase
- $500,000/yr in earnings at height of his career (ESPN)

Ken Patera
- $42,000/yr net earnings after travel, medical, and legal expenses, grossed $140,000 (Forbes).

Owen Hart
- $250,000/yr guarantee from 1996 for five years, raised to $400,000/yr from Nov. 1997 (Forbes)

British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith
- $20,000 for Wrestlemania 2 (Bret Hart as the source)

My Wonderful Paul Orndorff
- $20,000 for Wrestlemania 1 (Wrestling Observer)

King Kong Bundy
- $50,000 for Wrestlemania 2 (King Kong Bundy as the source, Wrestling Observer claims he got $16,000)

Big Show (Paul Wight)
- $950,000/yr downside guarantee for ten years from 1999 (Sportster)

Nelson Frazier (Mabel, Viscera)
-$500/week salary, $150 for non-TV, $500 for TV tapings in 1999***
See Standard Contracts section for 1993 deal below

Bam Bam Bigelow
- $500,000/yr earnings in 1995 (Powerslam Magazine*)

Lex Luger
- $350,000 or more earnings per year 1992-1994 (Powerslam Magazine*)

Triple H
- $400,000/yr downside guarantee, likely in the late 90s (Powerslam Magazine*)

Kevin Nash
- $700,000/yr downside guarantee in 2002 (Powerslam Magazine*)

Bad News Brown:
- Signed a five year deal with WWF. Says he made more money in Japan. Used to get advances of $100 for lodging. Once got a cheque for $250 in 1989, the lowest he ever made, claims Vince was taking away money from talent to pay for losses incurred due to No Holds Barred.

MIDCARDERS

Mark Henry
- $250,000/yr salary for 10 years from 1996 (Jim Ross as source)

Dynamite Kid
- $20,000 for Wrestlemania 2 (Bret Hart as the source)

Tom Zenk
- $10,000 for Wrestlemania III (Wrestling Observer)
- $2500/week gross earnings (Zenk as the source)

Brian Pillman
- $300,000/yr guarantee for 3 years from 1996 (Sportster, Prowrestling Stories ranges it from $250k-300).

Chavo Guerrero Jr
- $100,000/yr downside guarantee (weekly pay) in 2001. Standard contract compensation for royalties and TV plus other royalties for video (25 or 5%) applies***

Chris Kanyon
- $100,000/yr downside guarantee (weekly pay) in 2002. Standard contract compensation for royalties and TV plus other royalties for video (25 or 5%) applies***

Mike Sanders
- $52,000 for first year, $75,000 for second and third year downside guarantee in 2001. Standard contract compensation for royalties and TV plus other royalties for video (25 or 5%) applies***

Raven
- $75,000 for first year, $150,000 for second year, $200,000 for third year in 2001 downside guarantee, renewal term will start at $200,000. Standard contract compensation for royalties and TV plus other royalties for video (25 or 5%) applies***

Russ McCullough
- $60,000 downside guarantee in 2000***

Jim Brunzell
- $95,000 to $110,000 avg earnings/yr in the 1980s (Brunzell as the source)

Tom Prichard
- $200 per night advance in 1995 (Titan Sinking: The decline of the WWF in 1995, Dixon et al).

Chris Benoit
- $400,000/yr downside guarantee from 2000 (Powerslam Magazine*)

Eddie Guerrero
- $250,000/yr downside guarantee from 2000 (Powerslam Magazine*)

Dean Malenko
- $250,000/yr downside guarantee from 2000 (Powerslam Magazine*)

Perry Saturn
- $250,000/yr downside guarantee from 2000 (Powerslam Magazine*)

Jeff Jarrett
- $175,000 payout for dropping the IC title to Chyna in 1999 (Powerslam Magazine*)

Bubba-Ray Dudley
- $300,000 in total earnings per year from 2000 (Powerslam Magazine*)

D'Von Dudley
- $300,000 in total earnings per year from 2000 (Powerslam Magazine*)

Edge
- $300,000 in total earnings per year from 2000 (Powerslam Magazine*)

Christian
- $300,000 in total earnings per year from 2000 (Powerslam Magazine*)

WOMEN/DIVAS

Wendi Richter
- $2500 avg/gross weekly earnings, $1500 for MTV's Brawl to End it All, and $5000 for Wrestlemania 1 (From Sister of the Squared Circle: The History and Rise of Women's Wrestling, by Laprade & Murphy)
- $500 for Wrestlemania 2 (Prowrestling Stories)

Miss Elizabeth
- $50,000 for SummerSlam 1991***

Chyna
- $1 million in total earnings in 2000 which includes Playboy, book sales, TV appearances, and workout video (Chyna's book)

MANAGERS/INTERVIEWERS/COMMENTATORS/BACKSTAGE

Jesse Ventura
- $133,317 in 1987 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $142,902 in 1988 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $181,914 in 1989 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $128,468 in 1990 (Wrestling Observer 2017)

Gorilla Monsoon
- Offered a lifetime job in the WWF with front office duties and house show cut after selling his WWF share
- In a 1978 interview Monsoon claimed he made $100,000/yr (source)
- $262,712 in 1987 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $228,800 in 1988 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $231,611 in 1989 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $231,611 in 1990 (Wrestling Observer 2017)

Bobby Heenan
- $195,864 in 1987 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $206,590 in 1988 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $235,755 in 1989 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $240,000 in 1990 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $275,000 guarantee from 1991 (Wrestling Observer 2017)

Mean Gene Okerlund
- $367,923 in 1987 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $324,975 in 1988 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $309,639 in 1989 (Wrestling Observer 2017)
- $330,539 in 1990 (Wrestling Observer 2017)

Jim Cornette
- $15,000 at Wrestlemania X (Cornette as the source)

Paul Heyman
- $250,000 from 2001 (Powerslam Magazine*)

Vince Russo
- $350,000/yr in 1999 (Powerslam Magazine*)

CELEBRITIES

Mr. T
- $100,000 for Wrestlemania 1 (Wrestling Observer)

Mike Tyson
- $4 Million WWF earnings for 1998 (NYT)

Other:

Undercard performers by late 1995 started to receive a $400/week stipend (Titan Sinking: The decline of the WWF in 1995, Dixon et al).

All Celebrities at Wrestlemania 2 received a $12,000 advance (Kayfabe Commentaries)

_______________________________________________________

Standard Wrestler/Talent contracts***:

These are three Standard contracts provided as a comparison to show what Vince McMahon would pay talent outside of any special deals or downside guarantees.

Ultimate Warrior 1987 Contract Pay:
$150 minimum guarantee per event (non-TV)
$50 minimum guarantee per TV
5% royalty of net receipts for merch
25% royalty of net receipts for licensed merch
Payment for non-wrestling appearances
Pro-rated payment for video cassettes that are a wrestler-only feature

Nelson Frazier's (Mabel/Viscera) 1993 contract:
$150 minimum guarantee per event (non-TV)
$50 minimum guarantee per TV
5% royalty of net receipts for merch (eg. mail order/arena)
25% royalty of net receipts for licensed merch
25% of video tapes where wrestler is featured performer
25% for video cassettes that are a wrestler-only feature
(Royalties paid quarterly)

Shane McMahon's 2000 contract: (This is on top of his EVP role)
$150 minimum guarantee per event (non-TV)
$50 minimum guarantee per TV
_______________________________________________________

***Confirmed through SEC/Lawsuit filings
*PowerSlam Magazine isn't best known for its reliability, but some reports are more accurate which is why it's listed here

For some WCW numbers (click here) courtesy of MKSavage

[The Shiniest Wizard]

Jesus A MILLION for Hogan at Mania 1 is insane to think about for that time period.

[The Brain]

My reaction to this thread...

[MKSavage]

I believe Warrior said that he and Hogan both got $1 Million a piece for WM6.

[TheEvilDoink1987]

I believe Martha Hart said in her book that Bret was paid $750,000 for the Iron Man match at WrestleMania XII.

[jason1980s]

It's sad that after all these years someone led Kamala to believe Undertaker got $500,000 for Summerslam while he, Kamala, only got a few thousand.

[warriorlynx]

Updated with Stone Cold, Ken Patera, Tyson, Henry, and Owen

Keep up the contributions as I continue to verify thanks guys and will credit you

[MKSavage]

Mar 14, 2020 8:59:37 GMT -5 warriorlynx said:

Updated with Stone Cold, Ken Patera, Tyson, Henry, and Owen

Keep up the contributions as I continue to verify thanks guys and will credit you

Here is a site with WCW salaries from 1996-2001, not sure of the accuracy, though it sounds right. 

sites.google.com/site/chrisharrington/wcw_contracts

[JC Motors]

That $1m that Hogan got paid for WM1 is equivalent to $2,404,237.15 in today's money.

[warriorlynx]

New Update to Hulk, added Randy, Ventura, Heenan, Gene, and Monsoon

[MKSavage]

WOW! I can't believe that Okerlund made more a year than Heenan. No offense to Okerlund, I really liked him, but Heenan to me seemed way more valuable as a Manager and Commentator and sometimes in-ring performer than Okerlund.

[warriorlynx]

Mar 15, 2020 12:40:12 GMT -5 MKSavage said:

WOW! I can't believe that Okerlund made more a year than Heenan. No offense to Okerlund, I really liked him, but Heenan to me seemed way more valuable as a Manager and Commentator and sometimes in-ring performer than Okerlund.

O Heenan was awesome no doubt, but Okerlund had a separate deal with Vince thanks to Hulk which is why he got a much higher payout. 

[MKSavage]

Mar 15, 2020 12:50:17 GMT -5 warriorlynx said:

Mar 15, 2020 12:40:12 GMT -5 MKSavage said:

WOW! I can't believe that Okerlund made more a year than Heenan. No offense to Okerlund, I really liked him, but Heenan to me seemed way more valuable as a Manager and Commentator and sometimes in-ring performer than Okerlund.

O Heenan was awesome no doubt, but Okerlund had a separate deal with Vince thanks to Hulk which is why he got a much higher payout. 

I thought Hogan brought in Heenan as well. Also, a little surprised that Jesse got the lowest out of all the announcer, he was a big star at the time. I wonder if Vince held it against him that he tried to unionize and took it out on his pay...

[warriorlynx]

Mar 15, 2020 12:52:56 GMT -5 MKSavage said:

Mar 15, 2020 12:50:17 GMT -5 warriorlynx said:

O Heenan was awesome no doubt, but Okerlund had a separate deal with Vince thanks to Hulk which is why he got a much higher payout. 

I thought Hogan brought in Heenan as well. Also, a little surprised that Jesse got the lowest out of all the announcer, he was a big star at the time. I wonder if Vince held it against him that he tried to unionize and took it out on his pay...

Heenan waited to finish his deal with Verne before he came in. Mean Gene was lucky to get the best deal out of it. 

[warriorlynx]

Bigger update, Hulk's so-called $1 million payout for WM1, update to Andre, added Bret Hart, Bulldog, Dynamite Kid, Mr. Wonderful, Piper, Mr. T, Bundy, and Zenk.

[Grumpyoldman]

Wow. Seeing how little Richter was paid, no wonder she walked.
Poor woman.

[JC Motors]

Mar 15, 2020 16:12:00 GMT -5 Grumpyoldman said:

Wow. Seeing how little Richter was paid, no wonder she walked.
Poor woman.

Isn't she a Realtor now?

[Grumpyoldman]

Mar 15, 2020 16:14:27 GMT -5 JC Motors said:

Mar 15, 2020 16:12:00 GMT -5 Grumpyoldman said:

Wow. Seeing how little Richter was paid, no wonder she walked.
Poor woman.

Isn't she a Realtor now?

Could be. I thought she was/is a chiropractor as well.

[warriorlynx]

Mar 15, 2020 16:12:00 GMT -5 Grumpyoldman said:

Wow. Seeing how little Richter was paid, no wonder she walked.
Poor woman.

So true, she wanted more money, which she highly deserved being a top babyface and her payout for the biggest MTV show in history of their network is a disgrace. 


New Update to Andre the Giant and Austin. Added Warrior, the Rock, Big Show, Pillman, Chavo, Sanders, Raven, Russ, Brunzell, Wendi Richter, Elizabeth, and Cornette

[MKSavage]

WOW! Hogan got 1 million for WM1 and Piper got 75,000. Eesh.