WWE Reportedly Made Changes to Their Pay System for Talent Contracts

As noted before, WWE is currently believed to paying Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns over $5 million per year while other top level stars are currently making between $2 million to $3 million per year.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that WWE contracts no longer operate under a guaranteed downside system and instead the salary offered by the company is the guaranteed amount. Meltzer reported that this means talent are no longer making extra money from merchandise sales, bonuses for high card positioning at house show events, nor bonuses from working at pay-per-view and WrestleMania events.

Meltzer also reported that while those at the very top in terms of star status likely have some sort of bonuses still in place, the bulk of WWE’s roster is not given that same treatment.

Meltzer reported that at least one talent who is known to be currently making around $250,000 per year would easily be making well into the seven figures range under the former downside guarantees pay system.

Meltzer also reported that at least one other talent who is currently known to be making around $1 million per year will likely be unable to earn more on their contract despite it including terms for bonuses due to the recent changes WWE has made to their talent pay system.