05 August 2023 , 10:45
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WWE superstars put their bodies on the line to entertain fans - and can become very rich from doing so.
Like all athletes, the larger than life characters of sports entertainment know their careers are short and could be ended by injury at any moment.
But once they reach the top of professional wrestling, the potential to become extremely wealthy and reap the rewards of all their blood, sweat and tears is undeniable.
The main man in the business in 2023 is Roman Reigns - after more than 1,000 days as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
However, the ‘Tribal Chief’, real name Leati Joseph "Joe" Anoa'i, shares the title of the highest earner between the ropes with one of his greatest rivals.
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For many years, Reigns, 38, has battled with Brock Lesnar for the top spot in sports entertainment.
And it appears the two men are now neck and neck when it comes to their yearly salaries with the American company - earning them joint first place in our list of the top 10 highest earning male WWE superstars below.
As reward for all their years of training, working across the globe and putting their bodies on the line, wrestling's highest-calibre athletes take home a significant base wage, but also benefit from a percentage of merchandise sales.
There are also tidy bonuses when they headline big events, but the performers - who remain independent contractors - have to pay a lot of their own travel and accommodation costs.
Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar have long fought for the top spot in WWE (WWE)The question of how much the average WWE Superstar earns therefore is one that fascinates fans.
Wrestling legend Triple H, real name Paul Levesque, now serves as the chief content officer and head of creative for WWE, which he married into by wedding supremo Vince McMahon's daughter Stephanie McMahon in 2003 (no, not at a Las Vegas drive through in 1999 - that was just a storyline!)
In an interview last year, HHH revealed talents on the company's main roster - performing on either of its flagshow TV shows Raw or SmackDown - can expect to have a minimum base salary of $250,000 per year.
However, as already explained, depending on the details of individual contracts, a WWE superstar's earnings can far exceed that amount, once a cut of merchandise is taken into account, plus bonuses related to pay-per-view takings.
Brock Lesnar in action against Cody Rhodes (WWE)Lesnar for example, is said to have a 'guaranteed downside' of $5m per year. However, the UFC legend is also reported to have negotiated a range of bonuses including $500,000 per main-event appearance.
That means the 45-year-old’s net takings are still thought to give him a financial advantage over Reigns.
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The highest earning female performer in the company is said to be Becky Lynch, real name Rebecca Quin, who made history by becoming one of the first women to headline WWE's annual extravaganza WrestleMania.
The Irish superstar, 36, reportedly edges out her own great ring nemesis, Charlotte Flair, 37, real name Ashley Fliehr, in that capacity.
Becky Lynch makes her entrance at WWE Night of Champions (WWE)Below are the top 10 highest earning men and women in WWE today, based on reports and estimations of their salaries online.
Notably, the first list includes ring icon The Undertaker, real name Mark Calway, despite the fact he retired from active competition in 2020.
'The Deadman', 58, nevertheless continues to work for WWE in a variety of promotional roles and in 2019 signed a mammoth 15-year contract.
WWE's top 10 male superstars base salaries
- Brock Lesnar $5m
- Roman Reigns $5m
- Randy Orton $4m
- Seth Rollins $3.5m
- Cody Rhodes $3m
- AJ Styles $3m
- Edge $3m
- The Undertaker $2.5m
- Kevin Owens $2m
- Logan Paul $2m
WWE's top 10 female superstars base salaries
- Becky Lynch $3m
- Charlotte Flair $2m
- Ronda Rousey $1.5m
- Bianca Belair $500,000
- Bayley $500,000
- Alexa Bliss $350,000
- Asuka $350,000
- Trish Stratus $310,000
- Natalya $300,000
- Rhea Ripley $250,000
WWE's SummerSlam takes place at the Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, August 5.
For British wrestling fans watching Summerslam live at home, thanks to the time difference with the US, coverage starts at 1am on Sunday, August 6.
TNT Sports, formerly known as BT Sport is the home of all WWE programming in the UK and will be showing SummerSlam live on its Box Office service.
SummerSlam is also available to subscribers of the WWE Network as part of their existing deal.
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