CM Punk Discusses Positive and Negative Effects of WWE’s New Pay Structure
Current World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk recently opened up about the significant changes to WWE’s pay structure since his return to the company. Appearing on the Mostly Sports with Mark Titus and Brandon Walker podcast, Punk explained that the financial model for talent has shifted from performance-based incentives to guaranteed salaries.
Punk noted that the landscape of the business is unrecognizable compared to his previous tenures. “The business has radically changed. It was a different place when I signed than when I debuted and then when I came back. Like, it’s such a radically different place,” Punk said.
Titles No Longer Guarantee More Money
One of the biggest shifts Punk highlighted is the disconnect between holding a championship and earning more money. In previous eras, being the champion and working the main event meant a direct increase in pay based on the house.
“The thing with the title too is also it means you made more money. That does not exist anymore,” Punk revealed. He acknowledged that while the overall pay has increased, there are trade-offs. “It’s good and bad. Like, we all make more money now, which is — thumbs up.”
A Decrease in Ambition?
Punk expressed concern that the shift to a salary-based model has inadvertently dampened the competitive drive within the locker room. He explained that his own ambition was fueled by the direct correlation between ticket sales and his paycheck.
“My paycheck was always predicated on how many people were in the building, so I was driven towards ticket sales and the business of it. And when you’re in the main events, you got paid more money,” Punk explained.
He contrasted that mindset with the current environment. “Now everyone is just kind of on salary. I think that’s good and bad. It’s good for the boys. But also I feel there’s not the same ambition, you know? I always wanted to be in the main event because it got me more money. Now I don’t care if I’m the opening match, because I’m still going to make the same. I can shower and watch the show now.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit the Mostly Sports with Mark Titus and Brandon Walker podcast with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
