In a striking revelation, former WWE superstar Marc Mero shed light on an aspect of the wrestling industry that many fans might not fully understand. He recently took to social media to share his experiences regarding the royalties earned by wrestlers from their time in the WWE.
"Over the years, I’ve been asked countless times about how much money wrestlers actually make in terms of royalties from WWE, and I want to provide a genuine example," Mero expressed in a post on X.
He shared a letter dated December 2019 from WWE, along with a statement indicating that his character, the "Wildman," generated a total revenue of $39,590.81 during the last quarter of that year. However, the amount Mero actually received from this was a mere $71.47. This eye-opening figure does not even take into account the earnings from his previous persona, Johnny B. Badd, which he portrayed in WCW before WWE acquired the rights in 2001. While it remains uncertain whether he received a separate payment for that character, the figures from the "Wildman" illustrate a broader trend within the industry: while legacy content continues to rake in substantial profits, the original performers who brought these characters to life see only a tiny fraction of this revenue — particularly in today’s streaming-dominated environment.
Since launching the WWE Network in 2014, the company has transitioned away from physical formats like DVDs and Blu-rays, eventually ceasing production of these materials entirely by the end of 2023. Much of WWE's extensive library has since moved to platforms such as Peacock and Netflix. In a similar fashion to musicians, wrestlers have found that their royalty payments have diminished significantly with the rise of streaming services. The notion of receiving less than one percent of total revenue is startlingly low, even when considering the data from 2019.
Mero poignantly remarked, "This is the reality faced by many wrestlers. We contributed to building the brand, crafting the characters, and creating the unforgettable moments that fans continue to enjoy today, yet the compensation we receive seldom reflects the true value of our contributions."
Starting his wrestling journey in 1990, Mero gained fame in WCW as Johnny B. Badd before joining WWE in 1996 alongside his then-wife, Sable. During his three-year tenure with WWE, he captured the Intercontinental Championship, solidifying his legacy in the wrestling world.
So, what do you think? Is it fair for wrestling legends to receive such a small share of the profits they help generate? Share your thoughts in the comments!
