Okay, so I’ve always been a huge wrestling fan, right? And I was curious about how much these guys actually make. It’s a crazy world, WWE. So, I dug in and did some research. Here is what I did.
First, I searched on Google to find the answer. It’s not a secret or something, but it’s not like they put it on a billboard either. I found several websites with different numbers.
What I found out
What I found is that it’s all over the place, you know?
- Starting Out: Some websites said the wrestlers just starting out, like in NXT, they’re pulling in maybe $50,000 a year. That’s not a lot when you think about the beating they take.
- Main Roster: Then, once you make it to the main shows, like Raw or SmackDown, the money gets better. I saw numbers like $250,000 as a starting point. Still, considering the travel and the work, it’s not exactly winning the lottery.
- Mid-Card: This is where it gets interesting. Most of the folks you see on TV regularly, they’re probably making around $500,000 a year. That’s a decent living, no doubt. I found that from a source called ZipRecruiter, so you know it’s solid.
- Top Dogs: Now, the big names, the guys who headline WrestleMania, they’re in a whole different league. I saw reports of these guys making a million or more. We’re talking serious cash.
- The Superstars: Then there’s a guy like Brock Lesnar. Man, that guy’s a beast. I read he’s pulling in $12 million a year. $12 million! Can you believe that? He’s not even there all the time!
My thoughts
I went into this thinking these wrestlers were all living like kings, but it’s not really like that for everyone. Sure, the top guys are loaded, but there are a lot of people working their butts off for a lot less. I have even more respect for them now, knowing what they put into it. And some people can have basic skills to have a basic wrestling match in 3 months to a year. And it is important to note that the average athletic trainer salary is $54,463 annually who provides medical, fitness, and rehabilitation support to WWE athletes.
It’s a tough business, and the money is not as crazy as I thought, at least not for everyone. But hey, if you make it to the top, you’re golden. Just ask Brock Lesnar!
