Highlights
- WWE wrestlers today receive guaranteed pay each week, regardless of how many shows they work or if they’re injured.
- Top stars like Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston are considered locker room leaders, even though they have their own buses.
- Wrestler’s court, led by The Undertaker, was a humorous way for wrestlers to settle disputes in WWE, adding to the industry’s evolution.
The wrestling business, especially in WWE, continues to evolve and change with the times. The way wrestlers did things back in the 1980s, 90s, and even early 2000s contrast vastly to how we see wrestlers travel, behave, and conduct themselves outside the squared circle today. We could say that wrestlers today are much more relaxed, laid back, and carry the industry with more class and professionalism than before. This is best described by former WWE Superstars, Mace and Mansoor, who described the modern-day WWE lifestyle compared to how wrestlers did things years back.
|
Facts & Stats |
Mansoor |
Mace |
|---|---|---|
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Height: |
6’0″ |
6’8″ |
|
Weight: |
216 lbs |
286 lbs |
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Billed From: |
Saudi Arabia |
Shaolin |
How Pro Wrestler Pay Has Changed Over The Years, Explained
Decades ago, stars like The Rock and The Undertaker struggled to make money, but now, even NXT wrestlers make huge money in WWE.
The Pay For WWE Wrestlers Has Changed Over The Years
Maven’s Pay Experience In WWE Was Different From Mace & Mansoor
During an interview with former WWE Tough Enough winner and Superstar, Maven Huffman, former WWE stars Mansoor and Mace spoke about how the WWE pay scale has changed during their time in WWE compared to the early 2000s when Maven was employed.
Maven spoke about how, during his time in WWE, they had a system that guaranteed a downside guarantee, which meant you were paid a guaranteed amount of money based on your contract, with additional incentives based on where you were on the match card, how your character was doing, live event attendance, paysheets, etc. Both Mace and Mansoor said they were paid a guaranteed amount of money no matter what the case was (injured or not, scheduled to wrestle or be off television). Mansoor said:
“We do get a check in the mail every week, but it’s the same number every time. No matter how many shows you work. No matter how many times you wrestle. Even if you don’t wrestle at all, you get the same single payment each week. We are guaranteed money no matter what.”
Mace added to what Mansoor said about the pay, basically stating this method gave wrestlers an extra incentive not to work because it basically didn’t matter, as they were getting paid money no matter the situation they found themselves in. Mace said:
“In a way, you’re not incentivized to work. When you’re working house shows and all of those dates, you have to pay for your car, your hotel. The only thing we don’t pay for is our flights. If you were sitting at home and hurt (injured), in that situation, you’re still getting your weekly paycheck.”
John Cena Reveals His Pay In Rookie Years Of WWE
John Cena might have been making millions as the face of WWE, but in the beginning of his career the future WWE Champion barely made ends meet.
Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston Are Today’s WWE Locker Room Leaders
The Undertaker Led The Locker Room During Maven’s Time In WWE
On the subject of locker room leadership, guys like The Undertaker, JBL, and Ron Simmons, among others, were the locker room leaders for many years during Maven’s career. According to Mansoor and Mace, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston were considered to be “locker room leaders”, along with Seth Rollins and Randy Orton. Mace said:
”
What’s changed now is that all these guys have their own buses. They’re not in the locker room because they have their own space. Which is great for them. Randy Orton would fully be in the locker room which we appreciated because he was the top of the top guys.
”
Mansoor added to what Mace had to say, specifying that just because these top stars have their own buses doesn’t mean they aren’t going to be supportive and helpful to their peers, when asked or called upon. Mansoor said:
“A lot of top guys that have their own buses or own locker rooms, but that’s not say to say they aren’t supportive. They’re just not in the position of policing the locker room. Also, I think they don’t want to admit they’re old (laughs). When you get to a certain age, you don’t want to get to that point and feel that your still a young guy.”
10 WWE Superstars Who Hide Away Backstage (And 10 Who Are Locker Room Leaders)
Leaders do their talking in the ring as workhorses and behind the scenes, they maintain a humble demeanor
Does Wrestler’s Court Still Exist In Today’s WWE?
The Undertaker Was The Judge Of Wrestler’s Court
The wrestler’s court was a topic of conversation that is echoed through the halls of WWE to this very day. In summary, wrestler’s court was a literal fake court session that would be held in locker rooms or sometimes a conference room filled with wrestlers selected to be as jurors, so to speak, with usually The Undertaker proceeding as a “judge”. The wrestlers would be charged with a crime they committed either in the ring or behind the scenes that resulted in them having heat with another wrestler. That would lead to the supposed wrestler pleading their case and the “boys” deciding the fate of said superstar. Mace said:
“We used to joke about it all the time. If someone got stiffed or hit by accident, a spot goes wrong. We would jokingly say ‘Mmmm, that’s a wrestler’s court! Bring a bottle of jack!'”
Mace and Mansoor joked about it, as Maven added that if anyone was brought to wrestler’s court in his time, they were guilty from the start, no matter what. Maven spoke about his time and how it was basically made a fun atmosphere by taking someone who did something wrong, letting them know that ‘we’ know what you did, putting them on blast, and making fun of the situation. Sometimes Vince McMahon attended wrestler’s court and had fun at the expense of the wrestler who was on trial.
All in all, it’s amazing to see how much has changed in the wrestling industry and how the wrestlers themselves have changed in accordance to society.
