CM Punk explains ‘good and bad’ changes to WWE pay structure
CM Punk feels the changes that WWE has made to its pay structure have brought both positive and negative ramifications.
Appearing on the Mostly Sports podcast, Punk explained that being World Heavyweight Champion no longer means that he gets paid more than he otherwise would have. Everyone is on salary now instead of their pay being directly tied to the business that any one show generates. Punk said the money in WWE is better now, but he feels there’s a decrease in ambition with a less incentive-based pay structure.
“The business has radically changed. It was a different place when I signed than when I debuted and then when I came back. Like, it’s such a radically different place. The thing with the title too is also it means you made more money. That does not exist anymore,” Punk said. “It’s good and bad. Like, we all make more money now, which is — thumbs up.
“My paycheck was always predicated on how many people were in the building, so I was driven towards ticket sales and the business of it. And when you’re in the main events, you got paid more money. Now everyone is just kind of on salary. I think that’s good and bad. It’s good for the boys. But also I feel there’s not the same ambition, you know? I always wanted to be in the main event because it got me more money. Now I don’t care if I’m the opening match, because I’m still going to make the same. I can shower and watch the show now.”
Punk said that, with his current World Heavyweight title run, he’s staying in the moment and having fun. He’s secure in who he is, no longer feeling like he has to prove himself at every turn. The WWE locker room itself is also a better place than it used to be, with Punk saying there’s no longer a mean-spirited high school vibe and the talent are more supportive of each other.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.