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WWE Raises the Bar: Main Roster Talent Now Earns $350,000 Minimum Under TKO

WWE Raises the Bar: Main Roster Talent Now Earns $350,000 Minimum Under TKO The minimum annual salary for WWE’s main roster talent has been revealed to be $350,000, up from $250,000 three…

The minimum annual salary for WWE’s main roster talent has been revealed to be $350,000, up from $250,000 three years prior. This figure applies to wrestlers on flagship shows like Raw and SmackDown and is likely the starting salary for new hires, including NXT graduates or recent call-ups. The updated compensation shows WWE’s efforts to provide financial stability to its performers with new ownership of TKO Group Holdings, which also oversees UFC operations.

$350,000 WWE Minimum Pay with TKO

This guaranteed minimum salary offers wrestlers more security, even as revenue sources shift. Additionally, lighter travel schedules have improved working conditions for talent, reducing the grueling demands of the past when performers wrestled up to 300 days a year. While top-tier stars like Roman Reigns and Becky Lynch earn millions annually through base salaries, merchandise sales, and bonuses, the $350,000 base pay ensures even lower-card wrestlers are well-compensated.

In WWE, “main roster talent” refers to wrestlers who are part of the company’s two primary brands, Raw and SmackDown. These brands are considered the main roster and feature WWE’s most prominent and established performers. Wrestlers on the main roster regularly appear on weekly television programs, pay-per-view events, and live shows. They are distinct from talent in WWE’s developmental or secondary brands, such as NXT, which is designed to prepare wrestlers for eventual promotion to the main roster.

The pay report comes from Fightful Select, who added:

“WWE covers airfare for main roster talent, other expenses, like hotels and rental cars, are usually not included. Each contract is unique, and various elements are negotiated differently depending on the deal.”

The combined revenue for TKO Group Holdings, which oversees both WWE and UFC, is projected to reach $3.28 billion in 2025, reflecting an 18.52% increase from the previous year. WWE’s revenue for 2025 is calculated to be $1.73 billion, a 16.42% growth over its 2024 revenue of $1.49 billion.

In 2024, the UFC generated an annual revenue of $1.062 billion, as reported in TKO Group Holdings’ financial results. This marked a slight increase from the previous year’s revenue of $1.009 billion. Looking ahead, the UFC is aiming to significantly boost its revenue by negotiating a new TV rights deal worth over $1 billion annually, a substantial increase from its current five-year, $1.5 billion contract with ESPN.

The main roster is divided into hierarchical tiers based on a wrestler’s prominence, including categories like “main eventers,” “upper midcard,” “midcard,” and “jobbers,” reflecting their role and level of importance in storylines and matches. Wrestlers on the main roster also have access to higher salaries, more exposure, and opportunities to compete for major championships exclusive to Raw and SmackDown.

These developments have allowed WWE to adapt its pay structure to align with modern entertainment industry standards while maintaining competitive compensation for its athletes.

MMA Fans Laugh Off Colby Covington’s WWE Plans “No Height. No Weight. No Persona. No Fanbase.”

Sorry Colby Covington, nobody wants to see you in WWE. Earlier this week, the three-time UFC title challenger revealed…

Sorry Colby Covington, nobody wants to see you in WWE.

Earlier this week, the three-time UFC title challenger revealed that he hopes to transition from the Octagon to the world of sports entertainment in the next 1-2 years.

“I would say probably like two years,” Covington said on his YouTube channel. “I want to really start working on my in-ring wrestling and my crowd-pleasing ability in the next year or two.

“Maybe I’ll go up to Orlando and go to the WWE training center. But I want to really start perfecting my craft in the WWE and the wrestling moves, and hopefully I can make a transition in the next year or two.”

While some have suggested that Covington’s ability to sell fights and talk his way into undeserved title opportunities would serve him well in WWE, there are plenty of others who think Covington would be in way over his head trying to pull off his cringey trash-talk in front of 20,000 unforgiving pro wrestling fans.

“Colby’s promo are so bad idk if he can cut it in the WWE,” @MMAJOEYC wrote in response to Covington’s statement. “I’m not super familiar but I doubt they give you title shots purely based on if you suck Trump’s dick publicly or not.”

“I think we are underestimating how hard it is to cut promos in WWE and this man already struggles to deliver pre-written lines at UFC press conferences,” ADC MMA added.

“Colby would have no strengths in WWE,” TKO Talk wrote. “No height. No weight. No persona. WWE would write him to lean into. We all know he cant cut promos [see: ‘takin’ lerds munch monies]. He doesn’t have a strong fan base to carry him into rebranding. He is coming off a two fight skid. The WWE Champions are are giant men in comparison. Cain Velasquez showed up for Brock and physically looked like a fan more than a wrestler. Colby would fare far worse.

“They would absolutely not allow him to say the shit he has said in the past. Maybe a greaseball Manager but again- dude fumbles his words consistently. Would whip CM Punks ass in a fight. Wouldn’t be able to touch him in a wrestling ring, or come close to cutting any type of effective promo.”

“He cant fight anyways maybe its better for him,” @KOofTheDay quipped.

“He’s already washed, might as well go now,” @WhatsALegKick wrote matter-of-factly.

Colby Covington Discusses UFC Return in 2025

While Colby Covington’s move to WWE may be still a few years off (if ever), ‘Chaos’ is ready to get back to work and back inside the Octagon.

Offering some insight into his next fight, Covington claimed he’s ready to get the ball rolling once the UFC locks down a suitable opponent, but he’ll want a full 12-week fight camp to get ready after supposedly coming straight off the couch to fight Joaquin Buckley in December.

“Hopefully I’ll be back in there in the next three months,” Covington said. “I want a 12-week training camp. Coming off the last fight, I didn’t get a training camp. I didn’t train at all. Just showed up because I’m a company man, love this company more than anything. So now, I just really want to make sure that I get a full training camp – so I’m at my best, so people can see the real Colby, and we’ll beat anybody in the world when we get a full training camp.

“Whenever the UFC can find a good opponent, a big name that makes the company business, then we’ll get into a 12-week training camp. Bring them all.”

WWE and UFC Star Brock Lesnar Officially Linked to Vince McMahon Sex Trafficking Case in Amended Lawsuit

The ongoing legal battle involving former WWE CEO Vince McMahon has taken a significant turn with the naming of…

The ongoing legal battle involving former WWE CEO Vince McMahon has taken a significant turn with the naming of prominent wrestling figure Brock Lesnar in an amended lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant. The updated complaint, submitted on January 31, 2025, adds new allegations and evidence to the case, which originally accused McMahon and others of sex trafficking and sexual abuse.

Brock Lesnar Officially Linked to Vince McMahon

UFC and WWE standout Brock Lesnar has been identified in the amended lawsuit as a key figure allegedly involved in the exploitation of Janel Grant. According to the filing, Vince McMahon purportedly offered Grant to Lesnar as part of contract negotiations to secure his return to WWE. The suit claims that McMahon instructed Grant to create explicit sexual content for Lesnar and even arranged for her to meet him in Connecticut for a sexual encounter.

The amended complaint now spans 104 pages and includes previously unreleased evidence such as emails, text messages, and voice recordings. The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of the workplace culture under Vince McMahon’s leadership, alleging systemic abuse by WWE executives. Grant’s legal team has argued that McMahon treated her as a “commodity” to exploit sexually.

McMahon resigned from his role as Executive Chairman of TKO Group Holdings (the parent company of WWE and the UFC) in January 2024 following the initial filing of this lawsuit. Lesnar has not appeared in WWE since SummerSlam 2023, and his removal from promotional materials suggests that the company is distancing itself from him.

In WWE, Brock Lesnar was applauded as one of the most dominant performers in history, holding the WWE Championship seven times and the Universal Championship three times His physicality and charisma made him a marquee attraction. In the UFC, Lesnar transitioned seamlessly from wrestling to MMA, capturing the UFC Heavyweight Championship in just his fourth professional fight by defeating Randy Couture. Despite health setbacks, he became one of the biggest pay-per-view draws in UFC history.

WWE and UFC Star Brock Lesnar Officially Linked to Vince McMahon Sex Trafficking Case in Amended Lawsuit

The ongoing legal battle involving former WWE CEO Vince McMahon has taken a significant turn with the naming of…

Brock Lesnar Officially Linked to Vince McMahon

Robert Whittaker Likens Max Holloway’s UFC 300 KO to Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Iconic Stunner

Echoes of Stone Cold Steve Austin. At UFC 300, Max Holloway delivered a jaw-dropping knockout in the final seconds…

Echoes of Stone Cold Steve Austin. At UFC 300, Max Holloway delivered a jaw-dropping knockout in the final seconds of his fight against Justin Gaethje, cementing his place as one of the sport’s most thrilling fighters. The matchup was a highly anticipated clash between two of the UFC’s most exciting competitors, and it delivered.

Max Holloway vs. Justin Gaethje

‘Blessed’ Max Holloway is well known for his superb boxing. He entered the octagon as the underdog, especially after his previous loss to Dustin Poirier in the lightweight division. Gaethje’s size and powerful leg strikes had many experts predicting victory for him. However, Holloway’s performance defied expectations. He showcased incredible speed, out-landing Justin Gaethje. Despite taking heavy shots, one of which knocked him down for the first time in his career, he pressed on.

In the fight’s final moments, Holloway mirrored a move he made against Ricardo Lamas years ago, calling Gaethje to the center of the octagon to throw down. With just one second left on the clock, Holloway landed a massive right hand that knocked Gaethje out cold, securing a stunning victory and the BMF title.

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Former UFC champion Robert Whittaker couldn’t help but compare Holloway’s dramatic finish to the iconic Stone Cold Stunner, made famous by WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin. Whittaker praised Holloway’s boldness, saying, “Holloway stone-cold him—just stone-colded him. Gaethje was gone.” Whittaker added that the way Holloway walked off after the knockout reminded him of the dramatic flair of a wrestling finisher.

The Stone Cold Stunner became Steve Austin’s signature in the 1990s and remains a beloved part of wrestling history. This is not the first time Robert Whittaker has shown love for Stone Cold Steve Austin.

Robert Whittaker Likens Max Holloway’s UFC 300 KO to Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Iconic Stunner 11

Is UFC Headed to Netflix After Seeing WWE Strike $5 Billion Deal with the Streaming Giant?

Is the UFC headed to Netflix after its current deal with ESPN expires? On January 6, World Wrestling Entertainment…

Is the UFC headed to Netflix after its current deal with ESPN expires?

On January 6, World Wrestling Entertainment will make its long-awaited debut on the streaming giant, taking its flagship show off cable television for the first time since its inception more than 30 years ago. In early 2024, the sports entertainment organization revealed that they had signed a massive $5 billion deal to bring Monday Night RAW to Netflix for the next 10 years.

With the UFC’s deal with ESPN set to run out at the end of 2025, could we see Dana White and Co. follow suit and bring their product to the world’s biggest streaming service?

It’s certainly possible according to MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin. In a recent post on X, the respected combat sports journalist offered some insight from industry insiders who strongly believe that the UFC will join its business brother on Netflix in 2026.

“A lot of industry folks seem to believe Netflix is the leading candidate to land at least part of the UFC’s broadcast rights after 2025,” Martin wrote. “Next year is gonna be very big for the UFC.”

In 2024, Endeavor—the UFC’s parent company—purchased World Wrestling Entertainment for $9.3 billion before merging the two organizations under one corporate banner, TKO Group Holdings.

Netflix’s First Foray into Combat Sports Leaves Fight Fans Frustrated

While Netflix’s first dive into the world of live combat sports rendered big results for the company, it left a lot of fight fans frustrated.

In November, Netflix was the exclusive home to a boxing match between former heavyweight world champion ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson and YouTube star Jake Paul.

While Netflix knew the fight would generate big numbers, it’s safe to say that the viewers they drew exceeded all expectations as well as their bandwidth.

According to reports, more than 65 million people live-streamed the generational clash simultaneously. Unfortunately, thousands of households were left scrambling to watch the fight through alternative resources after the streaming site crashed during the co-main event rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano.

“Whenever we do live events, we want it to go smoothly for every single one of our members,” Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria said during a press event on Wednesday. “That’s really important—also, to put it in perspective, it was 65 million concurrent streams, right? It was a very successful night. A lot of people [watched], the scale was very big, which is great. There’s a lot of interest in it.”

Of course, WWE’s chief content officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque will happily look past a few bugs in the system if it means getting 60 million fans to tune into RAW every week.

“I’ll just say, if it blinks a couple of times and we do 60 million, I’m good with that,” Levesque said with a laugh.