Report: Backstage News On How Much WWE NXT Superstars Are Paid
One Superstar earns well above the rest
Feb 16, 2021
During a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed how much WWE NXT Superstars are paid and reported the likes of Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa are earning over $75,000 but much less than $250,000 per year.
One of the top stars in NXT is reportedly earning $130,000 while NXT Champion Finn Balor is paid approximately $250,000 per year. Meltzer didn't note if talent on the black and gold brand were paid a downside guarantee but WWE traditionally pays Superstars a set guaranteed amount and wrestlers earn more from house shows and merchandise sales.
Meltzer said: "They're (Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa) above that ($50,000-$75,000). But they're not getting like $250,000 or $300,000 or anything like that. Balor I'm sure is but I don't think anyone else is. They're probably in the low $100,000s. I know of one of the top people in NXT who's been there for a long time who should be making a ton and he's making $130,000... It's not like they're paying $250,000 to guys in NXT other than Balor."
Multiple NXT Superstars signed new long-term deals with the company in 2019 after the black and gold brand started airing on USA Network, but the average NXT salary doesn't appear to have dramatically increased. A report from Sports Business Daily in April 2019 noted NXT Superstars were paid on average $50,000 to $150,000, similar figures to those mentioned by Meltzer.