Would You Rather Be A WWE Midcarder or Indie Main Eventer?

[GOATpernick]

No matter which one you choose you use some of that cheese to pay for some school

 

[Vinny Lupton]

If I could find the interview I would, but someone straight up said WWE doesn't pay for midcarders when in comes to injuries.

But you're not disputing the well-known concept of a "downside guarantee" in WWE contracts right? Just to be clear

 

[julesocean]

You could pay all of that as an Indy ME, if you choose for extras. You can get tax deductible, top flight insurance, and seriously, you won't need to travel all that much. I feel you, but you'll be working an INSANE amount of time, with little rest and less real exposure.

Yeah, you'll get a piece of merch, but you ain't going to sell that much, unless you have the IC belt or great promo game. Then the burials, constant competition, avoiding heat, avoiding people calling you lazy and giving you heat because you don't engage in the fukkery, people trying to cuckold you constantly, carney atmosphere, open racism.

All of that, so you might get recognized by 100K more people. I'm pretty sure Jay Lethal is recognizable for people who aren't just casual wrestling fans. The people he meets adores him. They'll kind of like you and shyt, but feel sorry you're getting buried, or you have an a$$hole gimmick that has too many casual fans talking shyt to you.

That talking shyt you'll have to deal with for 325 days a year.

No way dude. If you go ask random people on the street, you will fight 100 people who know who know who Dolph Ziggler is before EC3. Pretty much the only reason people would know WWE mid-carders is because of the timeslot, channel, and exposure WWE gets. Now think about ROH/TNA's struggle TV networks that no one would even watch, think about the non-existent mainstream exposure, why would anyone stay 5 min on those shows compared to a WWE program?

If you want to talk about merch, goto TNAShop or whatever their site is. Website design, shirt design, all shyt. I dunno the percentage of merch money/sales bonus each company gives to the talent, but I'm willing to bet Ziggler would pull in more than Lethal. And if you are considering true indy wrestlers who are gonna be able to sell their own merch directly and keep all profits, they will have to pay for manufacturing it all then.

The burials, competition, heats, etc. All the politic shyt, happens in every company, and even indy shows. Think about being a top indy guy, going to do a one-off at a small company's show, and you're coming in there for one night and going over on their champion just because of your status in the scene. Think about all the power games that go on there, from both promoters and top talents because of the "one night stand" aspect. How many times has an indy wrestler not been paid or screwed out of money?

 

[MrSinnister]

No matter which one you choose you use some of that cheese to pay for some school

Dap+rep. WE need more legitimate Black (or ethical Cacs) businessmen and women, seriously. You have to know how to manage your paper and being patient. Sitting around all day is only gonna make you wanna spend your money, along with the stress of an taxing job.

 

[Vinny Lupton]

How long have Titus, Ryder, Bo, Heath, etc. been employed? Even if you're at the bottom of the barrel in WWE, you know you will have a job for at least 5 years *unless you touch Vince's arm *. That is something to also consider. Working for indies is dependent on the indy promoters to stay in business. Outside of ROH and PWG, these indie dudes are 1 or 2 flop shows away from going out of business

 

[MrSinnister]

But you're not disputing the well-known concept of a "downside guarantee" in WWE contracts right? Just to be clear

But if you're making only 100K, and spending your cheese on accomodations, and insurance (which is likely unsubsidized and high because of your sport) your downside ain't really helping you that much.

On the flipside, the exposure would likely get you a ton of change for your GoFundMe.

 

[MrSinnister]

To get a real sense of the base pay scale

 

[MrSinnister]

If Stephanie McMahon's base was only 350K in a year she was featured, what do you think your avg. mid-career is making? Lack of PPV revenue has seriously changed the game. Again, it's one of the reasons Punk left as well. The avg. pay is skewed because there aren't that many wrestlers, but the top wrestlers make in the upper millions/year. It moves the avg. pay to 500k, and I know that's not close to a midcarder's take home.

 

[mrken12]

How long have Titus, Ryder, Bo, Heath, etc. been employed? Even if you're at the bottom of the barrel in WWE, you know you will have a job for at least 5 years *unless you touch Vince's arm *. That is something to also consider. Working for indies is dependent on the indy promoters to stay in business. Outside of ROH and PWG, these indie dudes are 1 or 2 flop shows away from going out of business

Not even close to true. Where do you get this from?

 

[MrSinnister]

Why is TNA not considered indies? Because it the legacy of the old NWA or what. It can't be b/c of revenue .

 

[Silkk]

Why is TNA not considered indies? Because it the legacy of the old NWA or what. It can't be b/c of revenue .

Exclusitivity + Legacy imo

 

[MrSinnister]

WWE Male Wrestlers Salaries In 2016
STAR ANNUAL SALARY Bonuses & Royalties Contract
The Rock $3.5 Million 7% bonus for high merchandise sales, only appears on selected WWE Dates 3 Year (Part Time)
John Cena $2.75 Million 7% on merchandise sales, plus hafty PPV revenue share make his actual earnings way more 5 year
Tripple H $2,12 million Also acts as WWE executive and talent contract. 5 Years
Brock Lesner $2 Million 3.25% bonus for high merchandise sales, Free Travel, PPV revenue share (2 Years) Contract expires in March 2015.
Undertaker $2.25 Million 7% bonus for high merchandise sales, Travel & Accommodation, PPV revenue share if featured on a main event 5 Years (Part-Time)
Randy Orton $1,6 million % Merchandise sales, travel and accommodation, PPV share 5 Years
Sheamus $1.3 million travel & accommodation 5 Years
Big Show $1.2 million Personal tour bus from WWE 3 Years
Dolph Ziggler $900,000 Travel & Accommodation 3 Year
Ray Mysterio $985,00 4% bonus for high merchandise sales, travel & Accommodation 5 Years
Rusev $725,000 3 Years
Danial Bryan $700,000 5 Years
Mark Henry $877,000 3 Years
Goldust $725,000 3 Years
Titus O’Niel $335,050 2 Years
Stardust $245,000 2 years
Seth Rollins $310,500 3 Years
Roman Reigns $245,000 2 Years
R-Truth $244,000 3 Years
Ryback $655,500 2 Years
Chris Jericho $974,000 2 Years
Sin Cara $245,000 2 Years
Adam Rose $165,000 2 Years
Bo Dallas $165,000 2 Years
Big E $145,000 2 Years
Bad News Barrett $445,000 3 Years
Bray Wyatt $254,200 3 Years
Bryan Saxton $170,000 3 Years
Cesaro $80,145 1 Year
Christian $595,000 3 Years
Curtis Axel $75,000 2 Years
Damien Mizdow $100,000 2 Years
Darren Young $80,145
David Otunga $75,000
Dean Ambrose $80,145
Diego $75,000
Eric Rowan $80,145
Fandango Starting Package
Fernando Starting Package
Heath Slater Starting Package
Hunico Starting Package
Jack Swagger $275,000
Jey USO $255,000
Jimmy USO $255,000
Justin Gabriel Starting Package
Kofi Kingston $354,200
Konnor Starting Package
Luke Harper Starting Package
The Miz $712,000
Xavier Woods Starting Package
Zack Ryder $535,050 3 year
Viktor Starting Package

WWE Female Wrestlers Salaries
STAR ANNUAL SALARY Bonuses & Royalties Contract
Nikki Bella $112,500 First Class Travel 5 Year
AJ Lee $104,300 5 Year
Alicia Fox $72,520 5 Year
Brie Bella $90,500 5 Year
Cameron $75,500 2 Year
Eve $109,475 3 Year
Layla $86,450 3 Year
Laliana Garcia 1 Year
Naomi $65,500 2 Year
Natalya $74,410 3 Year
Paige $65,500 2 Year
Summer Rae $65,500

From
2016 WWE Wrestlers Salaries & Contract Details

I think this may be either 2014 or 2015 salaries and not up to date, based on financial statements.

Looking at it some more, it's accurate, but I think 2013.

 

[Johnny Joestar]

Indie main eventer, obviously.

Being a WWE midcarder is for marks and Stamford Wives who just want "to live their dream". Live your dream by getting buried in favor of the WWE flavor of the month, having no exposure, and never getting oppurtunities brehs

 

[Grifter]

Zack making half a mill to go to Disney World and fukk Emma.

 

[dh86]

If Stephanie McMahon's base was only 350K in a year she was featured, what do you think your avg. mid-career is making? Lack of PPV revenue has seriously changed the game. Again, it's one of the reasons Punk left as well. The avg. pay is skewed because there aren't that many wrestlers, but the top wrestlers make in the upper millions/year. It moves the avg. pay to 500k, and I know that's not close to a midcarder's take home.

She's a Class A stockholder and executive that only does one show a week. She's not relevant to this conversation