• On This Day In Pro Wrestling History (February 16, 2017) – WWF Legend Passed Away
On this day in 2017, we lost Old School WWF Legend George “The Animal” Steele (Real name: William James Myers) at the age of 79 due to kidney failure.
George Steele wrestled for the World Wide Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Federation during the 60s, 70s and 80s before he semi-retired in 1988 because he was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.
The Animal did return for a few appearances in 1997, 1998 & 2010, as well as wrestling Jeff Jarrett on WCW Monday Nitro in early 2000.
He became a WWF/E Hall of Famer when he was inducted into the World Wrestling Federation Hall of Fame (now known as “WWE Hall of Fame”) in 1995 by Doink “The Clown”.
† REST IN PEACE GEORGE STEELE!
April 16, 1937 – February 16, 2017
• Randy Orton Could Become Highest Paid Wrestler Ever With His Next WWE Contract (Details)
According to The Dirty Sheets, 13 time WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton signed a 5 year deal with WWE back in 2010 with an option to automatically extend if both sides were happy. Both WWE & Orton opted to continue the deal in 2015, thus making it a 10 year deal.
Orton is making a whopping $4.5 million every year with 3.5% cut of merchandise sales, a tour bus, first class travel and only has to work 150 dates per year.
The Dirty Sheets is now reporting that if Orton signs the same 10 year deal with $4.5 million per year when his contract with WWE expires in 10 months, then it would make him the highest paid wrestler ever (surpassing John Cena at #1).
However, Dirty Sheets’ source noted that Orton is expected to re-sign a 5 year deal with less money & less dates for around $3m-$3.5 million a year (with this deal Orton would surpass Hulk Hogan and take the #2 spot on the list of the highest paid wrestlers of all time).
Below is a list of the highest paid wrestlers of all time (the following data is the estimate earnings of all wrestlers beginning from WrestleMania 1 in 1985 and includes money made from WWF/E, WCW, ECW, TNA, indies and via sponsorship deals):
1) John Cena $98.2m
2) Hulk Hogan $62.75m
3) Randy Orton $62.6m
4) Triple H $57.9m
5) Undertaker $41.5m
6) Steve Austin $39.2m
7) Shawn Michaels $34.5m
8) Bret Hart $31.5m
9) Brock Lesnar $28.3m
10) Ric Flair $26.8m
11) The Rock $25.2m
12) Randy Savage $23.75m
13) Chris Jericho $22.5m
14) Kane $21.5m
15) Mick Foley $20.25m
16) Kevin Nash $19.4m
17) Sting $18.8m
18) Big Show $18.25m
19) Batista $17.5m
20) Roman Reigns $17.2m
21) Kurt Angle $17m
22) Scott Hall $16.5m
23) Edge $15.75m
24) Shane McMahon $15.5m
25) Rey Mysterio $14.3m
26) Sheamus $13.75m
27) Goldberg $13.5m
28) Mark Henry $12.75m
29) Rowdy Piper $12.7m
30) Lex Luger $12.5m
31) Ultimate Warrior $12.2m
32) Ted DiBiase $11.8m
33) Seth Rollins $11.25m
34) Dolph Ziggler $10.75m
35) The Miz $10.5m
36) Dean Ambrose $10.5m
37) DDP $10.3m
38) Big Boss Man $9.75m
39) CM Punk $9.5m
40) Jerry Lawler $9.4m (WWE only)
41) Andre the Giant $8.6m
42) Sycho Sid $8.25m
43) Daniel Bryan $7.25m
44) Jake Roberts $7.2m
45) Sable $5.8m
46) Trish Stratus $5.3m
The Dirty Sheets also revealed the following interesting notes about the above list:
– Steve Austin had the two biggest years in wrestling. Austin made $12.8 million in 1998 and $11.5 million in 1999.
– John Cena has earned over $8 million a year between 2006 and 2015.
– Hulk Hogan made over $5 million a year from 1987 to 1991 ($6.8 million in 1989).
– The Rock owns the record for the highest payout per match. He made over $7 million for his matches at WrestleMania 28 & 29.
– Brock Lesnar has the highest average payout per appearance.
– Randy Savage had the biggest individual sponsorship deal for a wrestler till date. He earned $3 million for promoting Slim Jim. Brock Lesnar is #2 on this list, as he has made $1.75 million from Jimmy Johns.
