Maven has gone into detail regarding the financials of being a WWE Superstar.
The former Tough Enough winner has launched a YouTube channel that has revealed some facts about the industry that are not as well known to the wider world. Speaking on a video answering the most searched questions on the internet about wrestling, Maven described how pay would work when he was signed to WWE.
When asked if wrestlers got paid weekly, the former Hardcore Champion revealed that they did and what he would do with his money each week:
Great question. We actually do, I actually got a physical hard copy check mailed to my house every week. My routine every Tuesday was I would land from my flight from Raw the night before and all of my mail would be sitting on my kitchen peninsula. I would gather up every my check and I would gather up all my bills, I would actually and I still can’t believe I did this. I would actually physically drive around and I would deposit my cheque and Bank of America and then I would physically drive around and pay my bills.
Wrestlers’ salaries are still a well-kept secret, with pay for Superstars only speculated by news sites. When asked if the talent makes a lot of money, Maven revealed his salary inside the squared circle was much higher than his previous job in the classroom:
It’s all subjective. At the time, I was coming off of a job as a school teacher and at the end of every month I remember having around $300 to play with. Was my first contract at WWE a lot of money? At the time for me, you bet your butt it was. And that was only a $50,000 contract. Obviously, once I went to pay sheets, it seemed like all the money in the world.
As Superstars are independent contractors with the company, it was asked how pay works if a wrestler is unable to compete. The former Superstar revealed that stars would still receive paychecks, but only the minimum amount stated on their contract:
The quick answer to that question is absolutely. When I broke my elbow. It was the first night of a loop. I was wrestling Matt Hardy. I came off the ropes for a high cross body and Matt ducked under which he was supposed to do, and I just landed wrong and exploded the bone in my elbow. I immediately the next day was flown home and sent to an orthopaedic surgeon who then told me I would have to get surgery. I didn’t have to tell the WWE at the time to go ahead and take me off pay sheets and put me on my downside. They automatically did it.
They knew I was I wasn’t coming back for several months. If I would have stayed on pay sheets, no check would have come that entire time I was home.”
Maven has been very honest about his time in the company since being released in 2005, including discussing his use of steroids.
Maven Misplaces Hardcore Championship
During the same Q and A video, the former Hardcore Champion revealed that when a wrestler wins a championship they are able to take it home with them. However, the former champion once lost the title and had to pay $500 to get it back.
If you use any quotes from this article please credit Maven’s YouTube channel and leave a h/t to Inside The Ropes.