As of 2024, professional wrestling has evolved into a multi-million-dollar industry, with top stars from both WWE and AEW building impressive fortunes. While WWE legends have spent decades capitalizing on their fame, AEW stars are making their own financial strides in the rapidly growing promotion. Let’s compare the net worths of some of the biggest names in both organizations and see how their wealth measures up.
WWE Legends: The Fruit of Long Careers
WWE’s top legends have leveraged decades of in-ring success and post-wrestling ventures to create massive fortunes. The wealthiest WWE alumni come from careers that have spanned wrestling, acting, endorsement deals, and business ventures.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the richest wrestler-turned-celebrity, boasts an estimated net worth of over $800 million. His Hollywood career, coupled with his business ventures (including his tequila brand Teremana and the XFL), has made him one of the highest-paid entertainers worldwide.
John Cena, with a net worth of around $90 million, has also made waves in Hollywood, particularly through roles in the Fast & Furious franchise and Peacemaker. His lucrative endorsement deals and successful merchandise sales add millions to his wealth.
Stone Cold Steve Austin continues to cash in on his legendary status, amassing a net worth of $60 million. His success comes from acting roles, podcasting, and merchandise, ensuring he remains financially comfortable despite stepping away from wrestling.
AEW Stars: Rising Wealth in a Growing Promotion
AEW, founded in 2019, has quickly become a prominent player in the wrestling world. Its stars, while not yet at the level of WWE legends, have already begun to build impressive fortunes.
Chris Jericho, a major figure in AEW since its inception, has a net worth of approximately $70 million. Jericho’s wealth comes from a diverse range of income sources, including his music career with Fozzy, his podcast, and his role as both a wrestler and an executive in AEW.
Kenny Omega, another AEW staple, is valued at around $5 to $10 million. His earnings stem from his AEW salary, merchandise, and his work with various international wrestling promotions.
CM Punk, with a net worth of $15 million, is another AEW star whose income is boosted by a combination of wrestling and his UFC career.
The Comparison
WWE legends have built immense wealth over many years, thanks to their long careers and diverse business ventures. However, AEW stars are quickly amassing their own fortunes, particularly as AEW continues to grow in popularity. While WWE legends currently dominate the net worth race, AEW’s rising stars are building strong financial portfolios that could rival the greats in the coming years.
