CM Punk is pulling back the curtain on how WWE paychecks have changed since the TKO merger and according to him, the new system is nothing like the old one.
In a conversation with Brandon Walker, Punk laid out exactly how the merger reshaped wrestler pay, what he used to earn, and why the new structure is affecting ambition in the locker room.
Before WWE and UFC merged into TKO in 2023, holding a championship or working the main event wasnt just about status it directly affected Punks wallet. He explained that he used to be financially motivated to push for top billing because the bigger the crowd, the bigger the payout. Putting it in his own words, Punk said:
Now, the landscape is completely different. WWE talent are mostly on guaranteed contracts, which means main events dont bring in extra cash the way they used to. Everyone earns more overall, but Punk believes something important gets lost when pay is no longer tied to performance or position on the card. He explained how that shift affects mindset and hunger:
WWEs minimum salary under TKO reportedly sits at $350,000 a year for main roster talent solid security for any performer. But there have been downsides too, including reduced royalty checks for past talent, something Kevin Nash publicly pointed out earlier this year.
Punks comments give the clearest picture yet of what the merger means behind the scenes: more financial stability, but less incentive for talent to claw their way into the spotlight the way he once did. Whether that shift helps or hurts the product long-term is something fans and wrestlers will continue to debate.
Whats your take on WWEs new pay system? Do guaranteed contracts help the roster, or do they kill the competitive drive? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know how you think it impacts WWE today.
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