Interview with Forbes writer who revealed last year’s earnings of WWE Superstars

By Jim Varsallone

Updated May 4, 2018 3:35 AM

Forbes recently released a feature story by Chris Smith, spotlighting wrestler turned Hollywood actor John Cena, who is estimated to have earned $10 million last year, the most of any WWE superstar. Photo via Forbes

Forbes business magazine recently released a feature story written by Chris Smith — John Cena Overtakes Brock Lesnar As WWE's Highest-Paid Wrestler — spotlighting the earnings of WWE Superstars with John Cena estimated to have earned $10 million last year, the most of any WWE superstar.

Cena is a pro wrestler/sports entertainer turned Hollywood actor and TV host.

Cena’s earnings are up $2 million. The increase is because of a busier wrestling schedule and an increased workload (money) away from WWE. More than $2 million of Cena's pay came from outside WWE.

Smith discusses WWE salaries, John Cena, earnings, accuracy of his findings and more.

Knocked out of the ring into second place, Brock Lesnar (No. 2) comes in with $6.5 million in earnings.

Lesnar’s one-year reign atop the earnings list was thanks largely to his brief return to the UFC in 2016. Rounding out the top three is Roman Reigns with $4.3 million in earnings. Just behind him with $3.5 million is A.J. Styles, who was the company's top workhorse in 2017; nobody worked more pay-per-views, cable episodes or house shows than Styles last year.

Methodology

Forbes has previously broken down how wrestlers get paid in great detail, but the short version is that WWE’s stars are guaranteed a base salary plus cuts of company revenues. Wrestlers receive a portion of their merchandise sales — typically 25 percent of licensing and 5 percent of direct sale profits — as well as a share of revenues from events they work.

Smith talks about his background, WWE as a business model, the business acumen of Vince McMahon, WrestleMania, women's pay in the company, and more.