Court filings connected to an ongoing merger shareholder lawsuit have shed light on WWE’s talent compensation figures.
According to a report by Brandon Thurston of POST Wrestling, WWE spent $195 million on talent in 2023, including developmental wrestlers, representing roughly 15 percent of the company’s overall revenue of $1.29 billion. The documents were filed publicly as part of the lawsuit, which was filed in 2023 and alleges that Vince McMahon predetermined the transaction with Endeavor to protect his own position amid the sexual misconduct scandal surrounding him rather than maximizing shareholder value.
The filings note that WWE spent an implied average of approximately $1.5 million per main roster talent in 2022, though that figure is likely skewed by top earners. Main roster talent compensation for 2022 totaled $175 million, rising to an expected $195 million in 2023, while developmental talent pay for 2022 was reported at $14 million, increasing to $16 million in 2023. WWE reported approximately 130 main roster talents, 130 NXT talents, and 20 NXT UK talents at the time.
While specific individual salaries were not disclosed, the filings indicated that Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, Logan Paul, Cody Rhodes, and Braun Strowman were among key talent who received contract renewals totaling $15 million, with Brock Lesnar’s renewal separately totaling $4 million. Bianca Belair, the Street Profits, Gable Steveson, Rhea Ripley, Asuka, and Baron Corbin were among those who received annual contract step-ups totaling $2 million.
Celebrity compensation was reported at $6 million in 2022, expected to drop to $3 million in 2023, attributed to Logan Paul transitioning from the celebrity category to the main roster.
One specific slide in the filings named 15 percent of company revenue as the projected rate of talent compensation through 2028.
