Richest wrestlers in America
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Richest wrestlers in America
WWE Wrestler Batista during his World Heaveyweight WWE Championship match
Over the last few decades professional wrestling has become one of the most popular and profitable sports. In 2021, World Wrestling Entertainment set a company record with over $1 billion in revenue. The WWE’s programming can be seen in more than 1 billion homes worldwide through distribution on NBCUniversal, Fox Sports, and other platforms.
Pro wrestling continues to grow globally, and generates revenue for many businesses involved. More than 150,000 fans from all 50 states and 53 countries attended WrestleMania in April 2022 at AT&T Stadium. That generated a record $206.5 million for the Dallas/Arlington region’s economy. The annual event goes to the Los Angeles area in 2023 and Philadelphia in 2024.
Many wrestlers also take their likeness outside of the ring, earning additional revenue through endorsements, business ownership, and acting.
Stacker ranked the top 20 professional wrestlers by net worth according to data from Celebrity Net Worth. They accumulated net worth data based on publicly available information including salaries, real estate holdings, divorces, record sales, royalties, and endorsements. Taxes, manager’s fees, agent fees, and lifestyle are all excluded from the formula.
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Slaven Vlasic // Getty Images
#20. Eric Bischoff
Eric Bischoff attends SiriusXM’s “Busted Open”
– Net worth: $12.5 million
Eric Bischoff has earned his net worth in a number of ways. He owned a successful landscape construction company, ran a butcher shop, and launched a brewing company. Bischoff competed as a professional kickboxer and worked as a veterinary assistant before he started wrestling. While he has occasionally worked as a wrestler, he is mostly known as an announcer, booker, and producer.
Bischoff was the executive producer and president of World Championship Wrestling before becoming general manager of WWE’s Raw show. He has also worked as an executive producer for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He has homes in several places, including Cody, Wyoming; Scottsdale, Arizona; and Los Angeles.
Joern Pollex // Getty Images
#19. The Miz
Kofi Kingston competes in the ring against The Miz during the WWE SmackDown World Tour
– Net worth: $14 million
The Miz was born Michael Gregory Mizanin. In the early 2000s, he started his career on MTV’s “The Real World” and was the runner-up on WWE’s “Tough Enough.” He was on various other MTV shows after that, and has appeared in several other television shows and films.
The Miz made his wrestling debut in 2006. He won several titles, including three titles at the same time. Mizanin has hosted and appeared on many reality shows, including his own reality series with his wife Maryse Ouellet.
Mitchell Leff // Getty Images
#18. Mick Foley
Mick Foley participates in Wing Bowl 23
– Net worth: $14 million
Michael Francis Foley spent the ’80s in various wrestling operations. He caught on as Mick Foley in the WCW. Foley joined the WWE in 1996 after stints with WCW, Extreme Championship Wrestling, Smoky Mountain Wrestling, and IWA Japan. He retired in 2000, but Foley returned in various capacities through the rest of the decade.
Foley also is a New York Times bestselling author with five written memoirs. He has also written children’s books, plus two fiction novels. Foley has made appearances in various TV shows, and he voiced various animated characters.
Noel Vasquez // Getty Images
#17. Maryse Ouellet
Michael “The Miz” Mizanin and Maryse Ouellet visit “Extra” at Universal Studio
– Net worth: $14 million
Maryse Ouellet signed with the WWE in 2006. In her wrestling career, she won the Divas Championship twice and in 2009 was ranked in the PWI Female 50 as the #9 female wrestler.
Ouellet married fellow wrestler The Miz in 2014, and the couple has their own reality show (“Miz & Mrs.”). She also appeared in “Sharknado 3,” “The Marine 5: Battleground,” and “Total Divas.” She has also worked as a real estate agent and has her own clothing and jewelry line. The Miz and her put their Thousand Oaks, California, home on the market in January 2022 for $12.5 million.
Jason Kempin // Getty Images
#16. Edge
Wrestler Edge attends the WrestleMania 25th anniversary press conference
– Net worth: $14 million
Adam Joseph Copeland made his television debut in 1997 as Edge. Copeland won over 30 championships, including his 11 world championships and five Intercontinental Championships. The Canadian wrestler was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012. Edge has also made appearances on TV shows and starred in films.
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Jason Kempin // Getty Images
#15. Jeff Jarrett
Jeff Jarrett attends Ric Flair’s Last Match at Nashville Municipal Auditorium
– Net worth: $15 million
Jeff Jarrett spent years as a wrestler across WCW, WWE, TNA, and many more organizations. Jarrett debuted in a match in 1986 and wrestled for the United States Wrestling Association, which was founded by his father Jerry in 1989. The wrestler was infamously fired on air by Vince McMahon in 2001. He has been married to Karen Smedley (formerly Karen Angle) since 2010.
J. Shearer // Getty Images
#14. Dave Bautista
WWE WrestleMania 21 “WrestleMania Goes Hollywood” at Staples Center
– Net worth: $16 million
David Bautista started his life with financial hardships, growing up in a tough Washington D.C. neighborhood. He signed with the WWF in 2000, but did not make a televised event until 2002. Despite a number of arm injuries, Bautista won the WWE Heavyweight Championship belt a few times. Bautista released an autobiography in 2007, and won his only MMA fight in 2010.
Outside of the ring, Bautista has been an actor for years. He has been in many films including his roles in Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi films “Blade Runner 2049” and “Dune.” He also starred as Drax in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies and other Marvel Cinematic Universe films. Bautista retired from wrestling permanently in 2019.
Jerod Harris // Getty Images
#13. Bill Goldberg
Bill Goldberg attends WWE 20th Anniversary Celebration
– Net worth: $16 million
Bill Goldberg became a professional wrestler after playing professional football in the NFL and the World League of American Football. The former Georgia defensive tackle left football in 1995 after injuries. He made his WCW debut in 1997. Goldberg went on to become one of the highest-paid wrestlers in WCW history with many wins. He left for All Japan Pro Wrestling until he joined WWE in 2003.
Goldberg has also appeared in movies and television shows. He sold his California home for $3.2 million in May 2020. Goldberg and his wife live on a 150-acre property in Texas with llamas and zebras. He also owns more than 20 collectible cars. Goldberg joined the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018.
Al Pereira // Getty Images
#12. Big Show
WWE Wrestler Big Show (Paul Donald Wight II) attends the Miami Dolphins vs New York Jets game at Met Life Stadium
– Net worth: $16 million
Paul Donald Wight II made his name in the WWE as the Big Show. He left the WCW for the WWE in 1999. He is the only wrestler to have won the Heavyweight championships in WCW, ECW, and WWE. Otherwise, he’s also made appearances in movies, TV shows, and reality series. Wight has taken a hiatus from pro wrestling over the years, now only appearing part-time. He owns a $3.7 million home in Miami.
KMazur // Getty Images
#11. The Undertaker
Undertaker in action in the ring
– Net worth: $17 million
The Undertaker was born Mark William Calaway. He joined the WWE in 1990 after a few years in the World Class Championship Wrestling and the Continental Wrestling Association. He is the only wrestler to headline WrestleMania in every decade since the ’90s.
The Undertaker has won 17 championships. He has also appeared in TV shows and is a black belt in Brazilian jiujitsu. Calaway also helps pay for lifesaving treatments for large-breed dogs through his work with “The Zeus Compton Calaway Save the Animals Fund.”
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#10. Chris Jericho
Chris Jericho looks on during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling ‘Wrestle Kingdom
– Net worth: $18 million
Chris Jericho made his WWE debut in 1999 after performing for organizations like ECW, WCW and various Japan tours. He went on to become a six-time world champion and nine-time Intercontinental champion.
Jericho left the WWE in 2018, and he joined All Elite Wrestling in 2019. He is also the lead singer of heavy metal band Fozzy and was featured in several movies and TV shows. He also has his own podcast called “Talk is Jericho.”
Lizzy Sullivan // Getty Images
#9. The Bella Twins
The Bella Twins; Brianna and Nicole Garcia-Colace pose for a portrait
– Net worth: $20 million
Brie and Nikki Bella make one of WWE’s highest paid sibling duo, as the retired wrestlers and models have a combined net worth of $20 million. They both won the Divas Championship, although Nikki held the title of the longest-reigning Diva.
These sisters have their own YouTube channel, wine label, podcast, and clothing lines. They have appeared in many shows and films as well. The Bella Twins made their WWE debut in 2008, retired in 2019, and were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021.
Jeff Kravitz // Getty Images
#8. Stacy Keibler
Stacy Keibler arrives at the Oscars
– Net worth: $25 million
Stacy Keibler acquired most of her net worth through marriage. She married technology executive Jared Pobre in 2014, who earned his fortune in online advertising.
Keibler started wrestling in 2000 while still in college. The former NFL Baltimore Ravens cheerleader made her WWE debut in 2001. She wrestled until 2006 when she retired to pursue other ventures, including acting and modeling. Keibler was the fitness editor of Stuff magazine for a year and has made several appearances on TV shows and sitcoms.
Paul Kane // Getty Images
#7. Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan gestures to the audience during his Hulkamania Tour
– Net worth: $25 million
Terry Eugene Bollea is credited with bringing pro wrestling into the prime time television mainstream as Hulk Hogan. He first came to WWE in 1979, but would leave a few times over the next few decades. He made appearances in movies (such as “Rocky III”) and also starred in reality TV series, including one about his family. He invested in several real estate investments and businesses around Florida. He still earns money from residuals and merchandise.
During divorce proceedings—after his then-wife Linda filed in 2007—it was found at the time he was worth over $30 million. Hulk was fired from WWE in 2015, after a series of racist comments were made public. He did make out with $31 million from a settlement with Gawker Media, ending a multimillion-dollar lawsuit funded by billionaire Peter Thiel. Hogan sued the now-defunct magazine for violating his privacy after they posted a sex tape.
Moses Robinson // Getty Images
#6. Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin poses for a Wendys campaign
– Net worth: $30 million
Steve James Williams, better known as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, started wrestling at the end of the ’80s. However, he did not make his WWE debut until 1996. He had one of the fastest rises to stardom of that WWE era, winning the world championship several times before retiring in 2003 due to injury. His career continued outside of the ring, as Austin made many non-wrestling appearances. He’s also hosted TV shows and appeared in films. In 2021, he sold his compound in Marina Del Rey, California, for over $3 million.
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#5. John Cena
John Cena enters the ring to deal with The Miz during the WWE Raw event
– Net worth: $80 million
John Cena transitioned from a WWE professional wrestler into an A-list actor and television star. He has hosted “Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?” and stars in HBO Max’s “Peacemaker” series from the DC Extended Universe. He collects rare and custom cars and has also granted hundreds of wishes through the Make-A-Wish foundation. Cena owns a home in Florida and another home in San Diego.
Cena made his WWE debut in 2000, but did not make the circuit’s main roster until 2002. He won the WWE world championship in 2004 and was the face of wrestling for the following decade. Many of his peers consider him one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
Bob Levey // Getty Images
#4. Triple H
Triple H wins the WWE Championship belt
– Net worth: $150 million
Paul Michael Levesque, aka Triple H, married into pro wrestling’s most infamous family in 2003. His combined wealth with wife Stephanie McMahon and their shares in WWE earn him this spot. What started as an on-screen plot turned into a marriage spanning two decades, plus three children. Levesque turned a bodybuilding career into a wrestling career, before finally earning his shot with the WWE in 1995.
Triple H would go on to win the Intercontinental, Tag Team, European, and World Championship many times before becoming WWE’s executive vice president of talent, live events, and creative in 2013. Levesque is credited as the founder of NXT, an offshoot WWE brand for development. He took a step back in 2021 after serious heart failure. Triple H came back to his role in talent relations in July 2022.
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#3. Stephanie McMahon
Stephanie McMahon at AOL Studios In New York
– Net worth: $150 million
In July 2022, it was announced that Stephanie McMahon is one half of the duo slated to take over as CEO of WWE, after her father Vince McMahon stepped down. She owns a percentage of WWE, which has been worth anywhere from $40 to $225 million over the years.
Stephanie started in the family business after graduating from college in 1998. She made many TV appearances over the years, including in the ring. Her wrestling debut came as a valet in 2000. She’s held many positions on the business side of WWE including chief brand officer, senior vice president, commissioner, account executive, and more. She has also made appearances on shows including “Undercover Boss,” “Punk’d,” and more.
George Napolitano // Getty Images
#2. Dwayne Johnson
Wrestler and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson performs for WrestleMania
– Net worth: $800 million
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s wealth started with pro wrestling but grew far beyond the sport. The 50-year-old holds a stake in Teremana Tequila and also earns at least $100 million from film and endorsement ventures. He has also owned luxury mansions across the country.
Winning several heavyweight championships during a WWE career that began in 1996, Johnson made acting his primary focus in 2004, but started appearing in movies and television outside the ring as early as 2000. In movies, he’s best known for his role in the “Fast & Furious” franchise as well as roles in “Pain & Gain,” “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” and the animated film “Moana.” Johnson has made major contributions to the University of Miami, where his Hurricanes squad won a college football national championship.
Bryan Bedder // Getty Images
#1. Vince McMahon
WWE chairman Vince McMahon speaks at a press conference
– Net worth: $1.8 billion
No surprises here, the former CEO of WWE is wrestling’s most valuable earner. The wrestling promoter, commentator, film producer, and occasional wrestler has frequently played the role of the megalomaniacal boss in the ring, most (in)famously ‘wrestling’ his friend and future President Donald Trump in 2007. McMahon announced his retirement in July 2022 at age 76 amid an ongoing sexual harassment scandal.
Most of Vince’s wealth comes from stock in World Wrestling Entertainment. He bought the company from his father 40 years ago and his two children both have hands in the family business. The WWE has seen its fair share of competing pro wrestling companies come and go, many of which McMahon acquired. The former CEO of WWE also took a couple attempts to establish an alternative pro football league to the NFL, the XFL, in the 2000s. He later sold the rights to the defunct XFL to a new ownership group that includes Dwayne Johnson.
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