How Do Pro-Wrestlers Get Paid?

[@ripkackel7402]

This might need to be its own vid, But I think merch is a important monetary boon, especially for folks early in their time on the road. There have been many of bookings where the PO was lack luster, but selling a dozen or so 8X10s made the trip profitable. Also, it might be of note to talk about how transit/coms is some time tied into ones PO. Your vids are good, thanks again for the info.

[@TilWeMakeIt]

GREAT idea, Rip!

[@JackgarPrime]

**Sees title** With a hotdog and a handshake. Sometimes TWO hotdogs if the gate was really good that night, right?

[@TilWeMakeIt]

I've also accepted meatball subs.

[@JackgarPrime]

@@TilWeMakeIt I do love me a good meatball sub, I'm not gonna lie.

[@82gamerprincess31]

I think the only thing missed, which is probably another video, is outside wrestling opportunities. Merch, appearances, signings, endorsements, social media, etc. There is a lot of ways as a wrestler to make money these days.

[@TilWeMakeIt]

You're exactly right. There are a lot of ancillary revenue streams that contribute to a wrestler's income as well. I'll have to see if there's enough meat there to make an entire video about it!

[@trademarktaz]

Subbed, keep the videos coming

[@TilWeMakeIt]

Thanks, will do!

[@cwell510]

Can you explain "downside guarantees". Also, back in 2001 when WCW was purchased by WWF/E, the existing roster sat out on the remainder of their contracts for almost a year a collected a paycheck, how did that work?

[@Provos7777]

The WCW talent that sat home, they were contracted to Time Warner not World Championship Wrestling. That's how they were able sit out their contract. A downside is a guaranteed amount they'll make no matter what. So it's basically the minimum they'll get paid.

[@chadfitzgerald7760]

Independent wrestlers are lucky if they even get 20 bucks.

[@Provos7777]

Depends what Indy promotion you're working for. Larger Indy promotions like Jersey All Pro, GCW, CZW, HOG, or PWG probably pay decent by Indy standards. Entry level wrestlers probably receive 50$ compensation, maybe even up to 100$ on a great night.

[@adrian3747_]

😭 😭 😭 some don’t even try putting effort on their looks and reinventing their gimmicks/gears

[@devpanda8996]

beautiful video! ❤️🍀

[@TilWeMakeIt]

Thank you so much!

[@RageCrazeGamer]

Do they pay in dues or cash?😅

[@gube515]

Yes

[@alternative7586]

A hotdog and handshake for a deathmatch

[@Ks-em4em]

Check I think

[@JackgarPrime]

That CMLL payout is interesting, and it makes sense that the main event gets the biggest cut, but it seems maybe a bit odd that the first match gets the least to me. Isn't the purpose of the opening match to be to wake the crowd up and get them in the mood for the rest of the show? That seems like a really important role that should be worth a bigger cut. Or am I totally off base here?

[@TilWeMakeIt]

No, I agree with that point wholeheartedly. The opener is so important. But the structure of lucha cards is viewed differently in terms of status.

[@JackgarPrime]

@@TilWeMakeIt Oh I'm glad I'm on point there, then. But I do understand that lucha is a very different culture entirely than here, or even other countries' wrestling in general. After all, I watched your videos about that very subject!

[@TilWeMakeIt]

@@JackgarPrime For years, I just imagined that lucha libre and puroresu were simply "pro wrestling in other countries," but that doesn't really justly characterize how radically different their cultures and traditions are. It's more than that.

[@hechogamermx4812]

In México usually the better talent/or the famous ones are higher in the card. The first and sometimes second matches feature local talent. Decades ago UWA or Lucha Libre Internacional (Toreo 4 Caminos/Palacio de los Deportes) worked differently; yes the last match was still the main event but from the first to the last lucha you could see TOP OF THE LINE talent. The main event was usually reserved for a title, mask vs mask or mask vs hair match; and also for foreigners from Japan or USA facing Canek (their biggest star(

[@JustJulyo]

Whenever you get paid in food is always a good day

[@TilWeMakeIt]

I've been paid in my share of hotdogs and Cherry Cokes over the years... :)

[@JustJulyo]

@@TilWeMakeIt those are the best guarantees

[@JackgarPrime]

@@TilWeMakeIt Now I'm picturing a booking where you got promised let's say a $50 payoff, but it's $50 in hotdogs and Cokes so you just get this gigantic bag full of them that do, in fact, equal out to the agreed upon price.

[@ripkackel7402]

@@TilWeMakeIt After moving to Canada, I started getting hokey-rink poutine, way better PO then the hot dog.

[@TilWeMakeIt]

@@JackgarPrime There's a promoter here in Pennsylvania - still active after 30+ years in the business - who starts guys out with a voucher to get "1 hotdog + 1 soda" from the snack bar as their pay. It's a little yellow coupon he makes up himself and gives out after matches. I kept it in my rollerbag for years, as a reminder that we all start somewhere.

[@layna-heyhey]

Have you ever made a video regarding relevancy? In the pop culture world, and rapidly changing tech, how can a wrestling vet attempt to stay relevant ?

[@TilWeMakeIt]

I'm not sure if how many of those that cover the topic of staying inspired and keeping current are public on the channel, and how many are Patreon exclusives. I can think of at least 3 I've done on that, and pop culture is definitely part of the conversation. Seeing what's hot in cinemas, watching buzzworthy TV, those things are as important to staying relevant as what happened on the last STARDOM pay-per-view.

[@rustyflowers1696]

I wish vince would hire me already smh.

[@alternative7586]

What if Vince McMahon started another wrestling company? Would Shane tell him to go back to bed?

[@adamluce1901]

I knew of a promoter in the new england area that paid wrestlers in shall we say illegal substances

[@TilWeMakeIt]

Yep. I worked for him in 2002. Unbelievable.

[@JackgarPrime]

@@TilWeMakeIt I'm hoping he's not still promoting? Since I'm in that area and would prefer not to deal with that kind of situation.

[@TilWeMakeIt]

@@JackgarPrime I don't know if he's still alive, actually. I got to see him shut down in epic fashion by the late, great Chris Candido. He attempted to pay Chris in pills, and Chris made the shape of a telephone with his hand and put it to his ear and said in an absurd voice: "Hello, bank? Can I pay my mortgage this month with a bottle of pills? What, no? No you don't accept that as payment?" and then hung up his imaginary phone. He just stared at the promoter until he got out a wad of cash. It was all I could do to not burst out into applause.

[@dennisf1351]

There is a certain Promotion that pays their Wrestlers with drugs😂 I would love If you could spill the beans on which Promotions a wrestler should avoid

[@thanoswest6754]

Bro thinks maven with that thumbnail