Priscilla Kelly, fka Gigi Dolin, is pulling back the curtain on the financial realities of being an NXT performer, stating that the fan perception of wrestlers being “millionaires” is false. Speaking with Denise Salcedo, Kelly addressed the “common misconception” about WWE pay, especially for those in the developmental system.
The Reality of NXT Pay
“Like a lot of fans, for some reason, think that if you work in WWE and you’re under that umbrella, you’re a millionaire, you live in a mansion, you’re driving a Benz, like you’ve got it made. That’s not the case,” Kelly stated. “And NXT, there’s, contracts as low as $30,000 a year, and they don’t they do not go as high as you think. And when you have to live in Florida, which is very expensive to live here… it all adds up, and at the end of the day, especially because you can’t make money outside of what you make in WWE, you don’t make a lot”.
Main Roster Pay vs. Expenses
Kelly clarified that this isn’t just an NXT issue, as main roster talent also have significant expenses that fans don’t see.
“And even main roster talent, like, of course, there are people on the main roster that are making the really big, big, big bucks, but that’s a small percentage. A lot of people that that are up there. Like, they make good money, but they’re also paying for every hotel. They’re paying for all their travel and all this, the food, everything they need, on top of the other expenses of gear and taking care of your body and taking care of your sanity”.
Making More On The Indies
Kelly, who has been working a busy independent schedule since her release, revealed that she is now arguably in a better financial position than she was under her NXT contract.
“With all of my work, all of the bookings that I’ve been taking and everything, I arguably think that I actually make more than I made in NXT now, which is wild for people to comprehend. But yeah, I think I actually make more now”.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Denise Salcedo with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. You can find her YouTube channel by searching for Denise Salcedo.
