Top 12 highest-paid WWE wrestlers in 2023: John Cena, Randy Orton, more

Top 12 highest-paid WWE wrestlers in 2023: John Cena, Randy Orton, more

Babu Tendu, Adrianna Simwa

WWE has worked endlessly to maintain its position as the world's largest wrestling company. The firm negotiates a 'downside guarantee' with each wrestler and pays them a base salary, bonuses for successful events and a percentage of goods sales that feature their picture. Who is the highest-paid WWE wrestlers in 2023?

Top 12 highest-paid WWE wrestlers
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Wrestlers earn money through salary, pay-per-view bonuses, merchandise sales, and endorsement deals. Most wrestlers are contracted with a primary wrestling promotion and receive a monthly salary supplemented by pay-per-view bonuses, royalties, and other incentives.

Who are the highest-paid WWE wrestlers in 2023?

There are many highly-paid WWE wrestlers in 2023. This is due to the high number of athletes in the game. Below is a list of the top highest-paid wrestler of all time.

12. Bobby Lashley - $1 million

top women tennis players
Bobby Lashley during Donald Trump and WWE News Conference for WrestleMania 23 at Trump Tower in New York City, New York, United States. Photo: Jamie McCarthy
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Franklin Roberto Lashley
  • Date of birth: 16 July 1976
  • Age: 46 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Junction City, Kansas, United States

Bobby Lashley is among the top 10 highest-paid WWE wrestlers of all time. He is also an MMA fighter. He was the ECW World Heavyweight Champion and the WWE Intercontinental Championship twice.

Lashley returned to WWE in 2020 and was re-crowned Intercontinental Champion for the second time. He is among the highest-paid WWE wrestlers in 2023, with a contract worth around $1 million.

11. Drew McIntyre - $1 million

famous women tennis players
Drew McIntyre in the winners room during the MTV EMAs 2021 'Music for ALL' at the Papp Laszlo Budapest Sports Arena in Budapest, Hungary. Photo: John Phillips-Pool
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Andrew McLean Galloway IV
  • Date of birth: 6 June 1985
  • Age: 37 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Ayr, Scotland

Drew is currently signed to WWE, performing on the SmackDown brand. He is the current WWE Champion, having won the title at WrestleMania 36 in April 2020.

He is a two-time world champion, having held the WWE Championship and the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship. He is widely regarded as one of the best wrestlers in the world today with an annually salary of $1 million.

10. Braun Strowman - $1.2 million

best women tennis players
WWE Superstar Braun Strowman during Kid Trash Talk. Photo: Andrew Lipovsky
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Adam Joseph Scherr
  • Date of birth: 6 September 1983
  • Age: 39 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Sherrills Ford, North Carolina, United States

Braun Strowman is a professional wrestler and former strongman. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Braun Strowman.

He has won several championships, such as WWE Intercontinental Championship, WWE Greatest Royal Rumble and NAS US Amateur National Championships. Braun Strowman earns an annual salary of $1.2 million.

9. Dolph Ziggler - $1.5 million

Who is the No 1 women's tennis player 2023?
WWE superstar Dolph Ziggler attends the Team Rubicon's Veterans Day Salute To Service Gala at Spring Studios in New York City. Photo: Astrid Stawiarz
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Nicholas Theodore Nemeth
  • Date of birth: 27 July 1980
  • Age: 42 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Cleveland, Ohio, United States

As one of the most famous WWE superstars in 2023, Dolph Ziggler earns an annual salary of roughly $1.5 million. He is a professional wrestler and a stand-up comedian from the United States of America.

In 2004, Ziggler made his debut in WWE as a professional wrestler. WWE World Heavyweight Champion (twice), WWE United States Champion (twice), WrestleMania XXXII Champion (one).

8. The Undertaker - $2.5 million

Who are the top 10 women's tennis players?
WWE Superstar Mark William Calaway, aka The Undertaker, attends Wizard World Comic Con Chicago 2015 - Day 2 at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. Photo: Gilbert Carrasquillo
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Mark William Calaway
  • Date of birth: 24 March 1965
  • Age: 57 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Houston, Texas, United States

The Undertaker, also known as the Dead Man, is the WWE's longest-serving wrestler. He is regarded as the most popular and outstanding professional wrestler in WWE history.

He began his career in 1987, working for World Class Championship Wrestling under various gimmicks (WCCW). Despite retiring in 2020, he appeared in the Monday Night Raw 30th Anniversary special. His WWE salary is estimated to be $2.5 million annually, and he is now signed to a Legends contract.

7. Seth Rollins - $3 million

world no 1 tennis player female of all time
Seth Rollins attends WWE Wrestling pre-show in Paris, France. Photo: Sylvain Lefevre
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Colby Daniel Lopez
  • Date of birth: 28 May 1986
  • Age: 36 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Davenport, Iowa, United States

With an annual salary of $3 million, Seth Rollins is one of the most talented WWE superstars and members of team shield. He has held numerous championships, including the FCW Grand Slam Champion, the first NXT Champion, the World Heavyweight Championship, and many more.

6. Becky Lynch - $3.1 million

young female tennis players
WWE Professional Wrestler Becky Lynch speaks on stage during ACE Comic Con at WaMu Theatre in Seattle, Washington. Photo: Mat Hayward
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Rebecca Quin
  • Date of birth: 30 January 1987
  • Age: 36 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Limerick, Ireland

Becky Lynch is one of the highest-paid WWE female wrestlers earning around $3.1 million annualy. She began her training at Finn Balor's wrestling school.

Becky agreed to terms with WWE in 2013 and is currently regarded as one of the best female wrestlers on both Raw and Smackdown. She has won several championships in her wrestling career, including the WWE Raw Women's Championship.

5. Triple H - $3.3 million

top tennis players female
Paul 'Triple H' Levesque attend WWE 20th Anniversary Celebration Marking Premiere of WWE Friday Night SmackDown on FOX at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Jerod Harris
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Paul Michael Levesque
  • Date of birth: 27 July 1969
  • Age: 53 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Nashua, New Hampshire, United States

Triple H made his debut in WWE in 1995 as Hunter Hearst Helmsley. In 2019, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of D-Generation X. He is the Executive Vice president of strategy and global talent development. He is the creator and executive producer of the NXT brand. His annual salary is estimated to be $3.3 million.

4. Randy Orton - $4 million

american women tennis players
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton attends the WrestleMania 30 press conference at the Hard Rock Cafe New York in New York City. Photo: Andrew Toth
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Randal Keith Orton
  • Date of birth: 1 April 1980
  • Age: 42 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Randy is a professional wrestler and actor currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand. Orton is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, with a career spanning over 20 years.

As a professional wrestler, he has won several championships, including the World Championship, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, and the WWE United States Championship. Randy is among the highest-paid wrestlers, with an annual salary of $4 million.

3. Roman Reigns - $5 million

best women tennis players
WWE Star Roman Reigns poses ahead of the MTV EMA's 2020 in Orlando, United States. Photo: WWE
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Leati Joseph Anoaʻi
  • Date of birth: 25 May 1985
  • Age: 37 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Pensacola, Florida, United States

Roman Reigns is a professional wrestler, actor, and former football player. He has won the WWE World Championship four times, the WWE Championship three times, the WWE Tag Team Championship three times, the 2015 Royal Rumble Champion, and the 2014 Superstar of the Year. Roman Reigns earns roughly $5 million annually, making him one of WWE's highest-paid wrestlers.

2. John Cena - $8.5 million

famous women tennis players
The Late Late Show with James Corden airing Wednesday with guests January Jones, John Cena, and standup comic Raanan Hershberg. Photo: Terence Patrick
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: John Felix Anthony Cena
  • Date of birth: 23 April 1977
  • Age: 45 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: West Newbury, Massachusetts, United States

Who is the highest-paid wrestler in history? John Cena is one of WWE's highest-paid wrestlers, earning roughly $8.5 million annually. He is the WWE's most popular and beloved wrestler of all time.

He is also one of the most successful actors and TV host. His professional wrestling career began in 1999. For the last 13 years, he has been WWE Champion, World Heavyweight Champion, and WWE US Champion. He has also been a WWE World Champion several times.

1. Brock Lesnar - $12 million

top women tennis players
WWE champion Brock Lesnar speaks during a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Ethan Miller
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Brock Edward Lesnar
  • Date of birth: 12 July 1977
  • Age: 45 years (as of 2023)
  • Place of birth: Webster, South Dakota, United States

Who is the highest-paid WWE wrestler in 2023? Brock Lesnar's salary is estimated to be $12 million. He is the highest-paid wrestler in the world and is widely regarded as one of the world's most prolific athletes.

He is the only person to have won all the primary heavyweight championships in WWE, UFC, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

Who is currently the highest-paid WWE wrestler?

Below is a table of the top 12 wrestlers annual salaries.

Rank

Name

Salary

1

Brock Lesnar

$12 million

2

John Cena

$8.5 million

3

Roman Reigns

$5 million

4

Randy Orton

$4 million

5

Triple H

$3.3 million

6

Becky Lynch

$3.1 million

7

Seth Rollins

$3 million

8

The Undertaker

$2.5 million

9

Dolph Ziggler

$1.5 million

10

Braun Strowman

$1.2 million

11

Drew McIntyre

$1 million

12

Bobby Lashley

$1 million

Who are the 10 richest WWE wrestlers?

These are the ten richest wrestlers in the world as of 2023.

  1. Vince McMahon - $1.6 billion
  2. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson - $400 million
  3. Stephanie McMahon - $150 million
  4. Triple H - $150 million
  5. John Cena - $60 million
  6. Steve Austin - $30 million
  7. Hulk Hogan - $25 million
  8. Kurt Angle - $25 million
  9. Stacy Keibler - $25 million
  10. Chris Jericho - $18 million

How much does WWE pay their wrestlers?

Wrestlers in the WWE are paid according to contract agreements, which vary greatly depending on the individual. The majority of wrestlers are paid a base salary plus bonuses, benefits, merchandise sales, and other sources of income. WWE salaries per month can range from 100k for lower-tier wrestlers to millions of dollars for top-tier performers.

The highest-paid WWE wrestlers are some of the biggest names in the wrestling industry. They have worked hard for their salaries, bonuses, and other sources of income, such as endorsement deals.

READ ALSO: 10 richest African footballers in 2023 and their net worth

Sportsbrief.com recently published an article listing the top 10 richest African footballers in 2023. The wealthiest African footballers have represented both national and international teams. Most of these players began their careers with smaller clubs before moving on to bigger ones.

Many have amassed most of their fortunes through their soccer careers and other multiple streams of income, such as football coaching and brand endorsements.

NEXT NEWS