Former WWE star Marc Mero has revealed to fans how much he was paid by the company in royalties back in 2019.
While Mero has been away from the promotion for close to 30 years, WWE has used his name and likeness in projects such as documentaries and “Best of” compilations. Additionally, although the WWE Network was present at this time, the company were still producing DVDs that were somewhat popular with fans, especially those who preferred physical media over streaming.
Despite the fact that the company was still making thousands off of its video library, Mero has admitted that his pay did not reflect that. Providing an insight into his earnings with a post on social media, the former Intercontinental Champion stated that of the $39,590.81 in revenue earned by video sales, his royalty payment was just over $70:
I’ve been asked many times what wrestlers actually make in royalties from the WWE, so let me give you a real example.
I left the WWE years ago, and more than 20 years later, in 2019, I came across an old royalty statement. When you look at how much money many wrestlers help generate versus how little they’re actually paid, it’s honestly hard to believe.
On this statement, even after being out of wrestling for over two decades, I was still partly responsible for $39,590.81 in revenue.
My royalty payment for that?
$71.47.
That’s the reality for a lot of wrestlers. We helped build the brand, the characters, and the moments fans still watch today, yet the compensation rarely reflects the value that was created.
Who Is Marc Mero?
After first looking to pursue a career in boxing, which included winning the Golden Gloves tournament, Mero made the pivot to wrestling after suffering a broken nose. Signing with WCW in 1991, Mero was known as Johnny B Badd, and was given the character of a Little Richard lookalike. During his time in the promotion, Mero captured the TV Championship 3 times.
Signing with the WWF in 1996, Mero was a part of the promotion during one of its hottest periods in company history, The Attitude Era. During his time in WWF, Mero captured the Intercontinental Championship once, and feuded with the likes of Triple H and Steve Austin while a part of the company. Mero went on to feud with his valet and real-life wife Sable as he was jealous that Sable was becoming much more popular with the fans. Mero was also a part of the infamous Brawl For All tournament, where he lost to Steve Blackman in the opening round.
Mero’s final WWF match took place in 1998, when he and Jaqueline lost to Christian and Sable at the Capital Carnage event in London.
Now retired from wrestling, Mero is known for his work as a motivational speaker.
Mero’s life story, From Badd To Good: The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman, can be purchased here.
