The Rock details tactics for WWE contract negotiations with Vince McMahon
WWE will always be synonymous with Vince McMahon and The Rock. The longtime business partners have seemingly remained good friends despite McMahon's recent scandals. The Rock is now opening up on how contract negotiations went with the former Chairman, and how much extra he was paid.
The Rock began 2000 by chasing his fourth WWE Championship. He beat Triple H for the title in late April, thanks to Steve Austin. Rock dropped the title back to Triple H weeks later but became a five-time champion in late June. Kurt Angle dethroned The Rock three months later, and they battled into 2001. Rock ended 2000 with a one-night Tag Team Championship reign with The Undertaker.
Rock recently spoke with Patrick Bet-David and revealed how he entered WWE contract negotiations with McMahon by asking for a $2 million downside guarantee, which was double what Steve Austin had at the time. Rock recalled asking McMahon who the highest-paid talent, and then asking for double their downside. McMahon quizzed Rock on how decided on that amount, and Rock professed his respect for Stone Cold, but said he sees himself earning more.
McMahon then allowed Rock to learn the economic side of the business. The Final Boss said how he learned as much as he could from the people involved in economic matters, then went back to the then Chairman to re-negotiate. Now with a better understanding of things, Rock accepted half of his original request. However, The Genetic Jackhammer then revealed The Great One would take $15 million for the year due to how strong business was then.
"I went back to Vince, I thanked him, gave him a big hug. I said, ‘I understand now. I’d like to match it at a million dollars, what Steve's getting. Thank you for taking me through it.’ We had a great conversation, and he said, ‘How much do you think youre gonna make this year?’ ‘Well, my guarantee is a million. I’ve been averaging about 50% over guarantee, maybe 1.5?’ He said, ‘Now that you’ve taken yourself through that and understand the business, you’re gonna make $15 million.’ He already did the math and could see where it goes. ‘You’ll make $15 million.’ ... By the time we hit about 1999-2000, wrestling has a boom period," The Rock said. [H/T - Wrestlezone]
The Rock began his wrestling career in 1996 and signed with WWE the same summer. He is an eight-time WWE Champion, two-time WCW Champion, two-time Intercontinental Champion, and five-time Tag Team Champion.
The Rock to talk WWE and Vince McMahon for Netflix
Netflix is set to premiere all six one-hour episodes of Ringer Films' Mr. McMahon docuseries on Wednesday, September 25. The project will cover Vince McMahon's career, with a focus on his success and various controversies.
The Rock has been confirmed as one of the many names interviewed for the new McMahon docuseries. The segments in the episodes were chosen from more than 200 hours of interviews, with Rock, members of the McMahon Family, and other big names recently revealed along with additional shocking details on the series.
WWE officials are reportedly not thrilled with the McMahon docuseries airing on the same platform RAW is set to premiere in January. A recent report detailed some curious internal reactions about the series, along with a Janel Grant statement.