CM Punk breaks down the good & bad of WWE’s new pay structure

CM Punk is currently the World Heavyweight Champion!

CM Punk has never been shy about pulling back the curtain, and he didn’t hold back during his recent appearance on the Mostly Sports podcast. The former WWE Champion broke down what he sees as both the strengths and weaknesses of WWE’s revamped pay structure under TKO leadership and how it’s reshaping performer motivation in unexpected ways.

Punk explained that WWE has shifted to a largely salary-based system, moving away from the incentive-driven bonuses that once defined a wrestler’s earning potential. While this model creates financial stability for the roster, he believes it also removes the competitive hunger that once fueled talent to push their way up the card.

WWE superstars now receive guaranteed salaries

According to CM Punk, wrestlers previously earned significantly more based on their drawing power. Headlining shows, competing for world titles, or selling out arenas came with direct financial rewards. Those incentives, he said, were central to how wrestlers measured success both professionally and economically.

“The business has radically changed,” Punk said. “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. It’s good and bad. Like, we all make more money now, which is thumbs up.”

He noted that his pay used to depend on attendance and position on the card. “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.”

Current reports indicate that WWE main-roster salaries start at about $350,000 annually, far higher than in previous eras. CM Punk acknowledged that this shift has put more guaranteed income in the pockets of talent, offering unprecedented security in a physically demanding profession.

The trade-off CM Punk sees in WWE’s new system

While the stability is a major win for performers, Punk believes the downside is less ambition across the board. “It’s good for the boys,” he said. “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.”

This shift has sparked debate among veterans. Some, including Kevin Nash, have expressed concerns about reduced royalties and the long-term ramifications for wrestler incentives. Punk’s comments reflect a growing conversation about whether guaranteed salaries can coexist with the competitive fire that helped define WWE for decades.

The coming years will reveal how much the new structure influences performance, creativity, and ambition behind the scenes. For now, the era of chasing bonuses has given way to the security of a steady paycheck, bringing both relief and questions about what comes next.

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