Randy Orton Becomes Highest-Paid Wrestler In WWE History
10/09/2024 15:08
Randy Orton recently announced that he has signed a new five-year contract with WWE and will stay with the company until 2029.
Orton returned to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames 2023 after a lengthy absence caused by severe back issues.
On a recent edition of his "Dirty Sheets" podcast, Billi Bhatti discussed Orton’s new WWE deal, noting that if he previously mentioned if The Viper signed another contract with his $4 million downside guarantee, he would become the highest-paid wrestler in WWE history—and that is precisely what Orton did.
Bhatti clarified that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Hollywood earnings are not part of WWE’s budget and do not factor into this.
Moreover, with his new deal, Orton will receive an additional guaranteed $20 million from WWE. Despite not making much from merchandise, Orton earns an extra $1-1.5 million from bonuses.
Overall, Orton’s WWE earnings could potentially increase by $25-30 million, making him the first WWE Superstar to earn over $100 million from the company.
As a result, Orton would become the highest-paid WWE wrestler ever, surpassing Superstars like Hulk Hogan, John Cena, Roman Reigns, and The Undertaker.
Bhatti highlighted that this figure does not include money from external ventures or investments, such as Triple H’s stock investments or Hulk Hogan’s lawsuit winnings.
Bhatti said, "For Randy Orton, with his new contract, I previously mentioned that if he renews for another term at his $4 million downside guarantee, which is what he is paid, he will become the highest-paid wrestler in WWE and that's what happened. This does not include what The Rock earns from Hollywood, as that is not paid out of WWE's budget. We are focusing on what WWE has paid directly. With his new contract, Orton is set to receive an additional guaranteed $20 million from WWE.”
He continued, “Orton is not a huge merchandise seller, he scoops up about an additional $1-1.5 million with his bonuses. This will be a roundabout contract earning like $25-30 million additional, making him the first wrestler in WWE history to surpass the $100 million mark in earnings from the company. This makes Orton the highest-paid wrestler of all time in WWE. We are not talking about what people made overall, so Hulk Hogan suing Gawker doesn't count, Rock and Cena with their movies do not count. We are talking about what the WWE has paid to you. As of now, Randy Orton, this doesn't include Triple H either because he has a different contract and share investments, Orton will be higher than Hogan, Cena, Orton, Roman, Undertaker, anyone else in history."
Orton most recently lost to WWE World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER at Bash In Berlin 2024.
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