JBL on how WWE talent are doing under TKO: “They’re being paid incredibly well, and they’re being treated incredibly well”
While speaking on the Something to Wrestle podcast, JBL (John Layfield) commented on the treatment on WWE wrestlers under TKO. Here is what JBL had to say…
“These guys are making good money for today. They’re making really good money. You can’t do that probably anywhere else. But if you want to make more money, draw it. Simple. Draw ratings. Do something like Danhausen has done. Do something like Roman Reigns has done. Do something like CM Punk has done. Go, come back. Do something like Cody Rhodes has done. Figure out a way to create interest. Create interest.
And then when you get renegotiated, go, ‘Okay, you have a finite amount of money. Now it’s coming out of somebody else’s superstar’s pocket.’ That’s the way it’s always been.
It’s always been that way. It’s that way in football. It’s that way in basketball. I mean, you want to pay Jalen Brunson? You want to pay him to stay? You’re going to have to cut somebody else’s salary somewhere. But if he’s worth it, he’s going to make more. And if you’re worth it, you’re going to make more.
Just—you get all—you got to do is negotiate. I don’t see—I don’t see anything wrong with this. I think this is done like an incredibly well-run corporation, which is exactly what it is. And I don’t see how anybody can dispute that.
Their healthcare is phenomenal. They take care of these guys. I’m out here right now. They’re going to have some TKO guys out here. It’s amazing how well they’re taken care of.
I think it’s terrific to see how far the business has come out of the old bingo halls and VFWs and all the stuff we used to wrestle. No healthcare, no nothing. And all of a sudden now they’re being taken care of incredibly well.
And people can say, ‘Oh, they’re still independent contractors.’ Oh, good grief. You’re paid enough money by your own insurance. It’s just—that’s the nature of the beast. And, uh, you know, it’s pro sports. That’s what it is. You’re very fortunate to be here.
Now, that being said, you shouldn’t be taken advantage of, but they’re not being taken advantage of. They’re being paid incredibly well, and they’re being treated incredibly well.”