I just received this from a buddy on a forum elsewhere, take from it what you will, but the stuff he has posted in the past, from this contact of his, has been pretty accurate. (his message is in italic)



I have a friend who works for an entertainment news/gossip organisation (which I will not disclose the name of, since it would mean his firing). Apparently, they are preparing to write an article on contracts in sport. I asked him to forward any WWE information to me, and look what came back!



(Here is what my buddy attached from his contact)



These figures are rounded up from the original figures we received. These figures do not include, PPV or appearance bonuses, nor do they include the merchandise cut that each performer receives. Some performers receive an additional percentage added to their merchandise cut, if they are a high merchandise seller, and these are noted.



Note 1: It would appear that WWE’s standard contract lengths are 1 year, 3 year, 5 year, 7 year and 10 year.

Note 2: Some performers are offered a higher merchandise royalties percentage for taking a smaller downside. These figures were not made available to us.

Note 3: The executive office and “legends” contracts were not made available to us. These contracts operate on a different system entirely.

Note 4: The Undertaker is believed to be on a per-appearance contract, in which he is paid an agreed upon rate (a long with the typical PPV bonus if he wrestlers) for each appearance he makes for the company. Undertaker of course, still receives his merchandise royalites, etc, but isn’t on a downside contract. Undertaker is not on a legends contact, which means he cannot make appearances for independent promotions.



Alberto Del Rio: $675,000 downside/first class travel - 3 year contract

Big Show: $1,050,000 downside/allocated a personal touring bus/first class travel arrangements paid for, when bus travel is not an option - 10 year contract

Brodus Clay: $170,000 downside - 2 year contract

Christian: $595,000 downside/first class travel - 3 year contract

CM Punk: $1,220,500 downside/allocated a personal touring bus/first class travel arrangements paid for, when bus travel is not an option/receives an additional 3.25% bonus for high merchandise sales - 7 year contract

Cody Rhodes: $494,500 downside - 3 year contract

Daniel Bryan: $620,470 downside - 3 year contract

Darren Young: $80,145 downside - 3 year contract

Dolph Ziggler: $540,230 downside - 3 year contract

Jack Swagger: $319,000 downside - 3 year contract

Jinder Mahal: $75,000 downside - 3 year contract

John Cena: $2,750,000 downside/first class travel and accommodation/receives an additional 6.25% bonus for high merchandise sales - 10 year contract

Kane: $905,000 downside/first class travel and accommodation - 5 year contract

Kofi Kingston: $254,200 downside - 3 year contract

Mark Henry: $877,000 downside/first class travel - 10 year contract

Randy Orton: $1,600,500 downside/allocated a personal touring bus/first class travel arrangements paid for, when bus travel is not an option/receives an additional 2.2% bonus for high merchandise sales - 10 year contract

Rey Mysterio: $985,000 downside/first class travel arrangements/receives an additional 4% bonus for high merchandise sales - 5 year contract

Sheamus: $1,000,000 downside/first class travel arrangements - 7 year contract

Tensai: $520,000 downside - 3 year contract

The Great Khali: $974,000 downside - 5 year contract

The Miz: $712,000 downside/first class travel - 5 year contract

Zack Ryder: $135,050 downside/receives an additional 1.5% bonus for high merchandise sales - 3 year contract



Alicia Fox: $72,520 downside - 3 year contract

AJ Lee: $104,300 downside - 3 year contract

Beth Phoenix: $112,500 downside/first class travel - 3 year contract

Eve: $109,475 downside/first class travel - 5 year contract

Layla: $86,450 downside - 3 year contract

Natalya: $74,410 downside - 3 year contract



Booker T: $477,375 downside/first class travel and accommodation - 3 year contract

Jerry Lawler: $500,000 downside/first class travel and accommodation/allowed to make independent appearances - 5 year contract

Matt Striker: $164,000 downside - 3 year contract

Michael Cole: $549,000 downside/first class travel and accommodation - 5 year contract