The Rock's $80M Payday Comes From WWE, Not Movies
Wrestling superstar turned Hollywood A-lister Dwayne Johnson just secured a massive eight-figure deal, but it's not from his latest film project that flopped at the box office.
Professional wrestling legend and Hollywood heavyweight Dwayne Johnson recently pocketed a jaw-dropping $80 million payday, but the massive sum didn't come from his newest film venture. Instead, the enormous check arrived courtesy of his part-time wrestling contract with WWE, according to industry insider Dave Meltzer.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer revealed the staggering financial details of Johnson's current WWE arrangement. "I haven't calculated what Dwayne's probably fixing on—80 million dollars over… this will be the end of the second year of that deal. Because he signed that deal on… was it January 3rd, 2024? Right. So two years—80 million dollars, roughly. Unbelievable."
Wrestling Contract Dwarfs Film Earnings
The wrestling industry expert emphasized that Johnson's WWE income extends far beyond his base contract amount. Meltzer noted the $80 million figure "not even including his merch money. Not even including his WrestleMania and live appearance pay," which he estimated "were probably adding like several more million" to the wrestler-actor's already substantial fortune.
This massive wrestling payday stands in stark contrast to Johnson's recent film compensation. For his latest movie The Smashing Machine, the former WWE Champion accepted just $4 million – a significant reduction from his typical $20 million-plus movie deals. Sources indicate he even shared portions of his reduced salary with co-stars Emily Blunt and Rebecca Ferguson.
Box Office Struggles vs Wrestling Success
The Smashing Machine faced considerable financial challenges despite Johnson's star power. The biographical drama carried a $50 million production budget but managed only $21 million in worldwide box office revenue, making it a commercial disappointment. Critics responded more favorably, with the film earning a 71% approval rating from professional reviewers and 74% from general audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.
Johnson's Hollywood earning history shows his typical commanding presence in salary negotiations. His film paychecks have ranged from $5.5 million for The Scorpion King in 2001 to a reported $50 million for Red One in 2023. Notable earnings include $23.5 million each for Red Notice and Jumanji: The Next Level, plus $22.5 million for Black Adam.
Building an Entertainment Empire
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Johnson's total wealth at approximately $800 million, with significant portions coming from his entertainment ventures and business investments. His stake in Teremana Tequila, valued at roughly $2 billion, represents a major component of his financial portfolio beyond his wrestling and acting careers.
The contrast between Johnson's WWE earnings and his recent film salary highlights the evolving entertainment landscape. While his latest movie project struggled commercially, his return to professional wrestling continues generating substantial revenue through his part-time appearances and merchandise sales.