CM Punk says WWE’s updated pay structure has helped talent in some ways but also removed certain incentives.
On the Mostly Sports podcast, CM Punk explained that being WWE World Heavyweight Champion no longer boosts his earnings the way it used to.
“The business has radically changed. 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,” Punk said.
He said everyone makes higher pay overall, which he sees as both positive and negative.
“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. 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. I think that’s good and bad. It’s good for the boys. But also I feel there’s not the same ambition, you know?”
He admitted that this new system removes the old motivation to chase main event spots. “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.” [H/T: f4wonline.com]
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