Leon Halip // Getty Images 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. You may also like: Sports cards with the highest market value #20. Eric Bischoff Masashi Hara // Getty Images – 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.” #9. The Bella Twins Lizzy Sullivan // Getty Images – 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. #8. Stacy Keibler Jeff Kravitz // Getty Images – 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. #7. Hulk Hogan Paul Kane // Getty Images – 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. #6. Stone Cold Steve Austin Moses Robinson // Getty Images – 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. You may also like: Black athletes who transformed American sports #5. John Cena Chris Ryan – Corbis // Getty Images – 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. #4. Triple H Bob Levey // Getty Images – 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. #3. Stephanie McMahon Mireya Acierto // Getty Images – 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. #2. Dwayne Johnson George Napolitano // Getty Images – 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. #1. Vince McMahon Bryan Bedder // Getty Images – 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. You may also like: Major sports headlines from the year you were born
Richest wrestlers in America
