WWE is Paying Dwayne Johnson, Who Was Once Paid $40 For Wrestling Match, Insane Money For His New Role in the Company

The Rock is swapping out his muscle shirts for business suits as he will be joining the board of directors of WWE Parent TKO Group.

Dwayne Johnson is a name that does not need an introduction. The name means different things to many people. Some associate the name with WWE legend The Rock. To some, he is a proud girl dad, who enjoys living up to the title and is often seen gushing about his daughters on social media. Others regard him as a fantastic actor who can light up the stage. Not to mention the fortitude and tenacity associated with his name because of that amazing physique of his!

And when it comes to sports, few stories are as remarkable and inspiring as The Rock’s journey. The legendary wrestler-turned-actor has gone from wrestling in parking lots for a mere $40 per match to currently serving on the board of directors for WWE with a staggering $30 million paycheck. Yes, TKO, the company that owns the WWE and UFC, has appointed the actor to its board of directors.
Dwayne Johnson (@therock | Instagram)

Dwayne Johnson’s Humble Beginnings in the Wrestling World

Starring in popular action films such as Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, The Mummy Returns, and the Fast & Furious franchise, Dwayne Johnson has amassed millions of dollars in his career. But even with his current success, his pay as a professional wrestler was once only $40 per night.  Aside from wrestling to make ends meet at flea stores and used car dealerships, he had to overcome many obstacles to get to where he is now.

He discussed the challenges he had in his early professional wrestling career in an interview with Stephen Colbert in 2018:
“It was hardcore. So when I first started out, we would … live life like gypsies and I would wrestle, I had a guarantee of $40 per match every night.”
Johnson could only afford to eat at Waffle House because he was so broke. He added:
“It was long green, really long green. I was living at the Waffle House, I ate there three times a day.”
Dwayne Johnson in a still from Furious 7
In addition to the meager pay, Johnson had to swallow his pride and wrestle in some strange places, like car dealerships and flea markets. The father of three further shared:
“So Monday nights were the flea market, I would wrestle there, at the Big Top Flea Market in Memphis, Tennessee. Saturday would be the State Fair, every Saturday. And then throughout the week, we would wrestle at used-car dealerships.”
Johnson understood that he had to go through this less-than-ideal phase of his career in order to succeed in it. And guess what? You can now see the degree of success he has attained.

Dwayne Johnson’s Appointment to the TKO Board Will Bring in $30 Million

Dwayne Johnson as Hobbs in the Fast & Furious saga
We learned from CNN Business that Dwayne Johnson has joined the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings, Inc., the business endeavor formed by merging the UFC and WWE. The former professional wrestler for the WWE, who is now regarded as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable and marketable stars, will join the board right away.

As part of his new contract, the company announced in a regulatory filing on Tuesday that it will give Johnson $30 million in stock awards to promote the brand. In a press release, the company also commended his “significant experience” in securing media rights and generating revenue for his other business endeavors.

As a global leader in sports and entertainment, Johnson claimed that his “crazy life is coming full circle” and that he is
“Very motivated to help continue to globally expand our TKO, WWE, and UFC businesses”.
Dwayne Johnson in a still from Baywatch
Also Read: “It’s likely gonna be His retirement match”: Potential Plans For Dwayne Johnson’s WrestleMania Return Upsets WWE Universe

He added that he’s proud to represent
“So many phenomenal athletes and performers who show up every day putting in the hard work with their own two hands to make their dreams come true and deliver for our audiences. I’ve been there, I’m still there and this is for them.”
During a segment with Jinder Mahal on Monday Night Raw (January 1, 2024), Johnson made an unexpected appearance. He took a direct jab at his cousin Roman Reigns by asking the audience if he should sit at “the head of the table” (via Wrestling Headlines).

It is undeniable that The Rock’s rise from parking lot wrestling for pennies on the dollar to a position on the WWE board of directors and a fat salary is among the greatest comeback stories in sports history.