How WWE Contracts Work - By Brian Harrod

 Wrestling Contracts Details

WWE signs most of its talent to exclusive contracts, meaning talent can appear or perform only on WWE programming and events. 

They are not permitted to appear or perform for another promotion unless special arrangements are made beforehand. 

WWE keeps all wrestlers' salary, employment length, benefits, and all other contract details strictly private.

WWE classifies its professional wrestlers as independent contractors and not as employees. A study by the University of Louisville Law Review found that after applying the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 20-factor test, 16 factors "clearly indicate that wrestlers are employees". 

However, as a result of WWE terming them as independent contractors, "the wrestlers are denied countless benefits to which they would otherwise be entitled."

The Study Is Archived Here: 

http://louisvillelawreview.org/sites/louisvillelawreview.org/files/pdfs/printcontent/53/1/10-Cowley.pdf 

Public Filings

Vince McMahon

As an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:

• Contract as of 1/1/2000 (published 7/31/00 10-K)
• Amendment 7/3/01 (published 7/27/01 10-K) 
• Restated as of 1/1/2011 (published 11/12/10 8-K)

Paul Levesque (Triple H)

As an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:

• Contract restated as of 1/1/2012 (published 3/1/2012 10-K) 
• Three-year extension (published 5/10/16 10-Q)

Stephanie McMahon

As an officer of WWE, her contract has been published in SEC filings:

• Contract as of 10/7/2013 (published 10/31/2013 10-Q)
• Three-year extension (published 10/27/16 10-Q)
• Second amendment (published 7/25/19 10-Q)

Shane McMahon

As an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:

• Contract as of 1/1/2000 (published 8/29/03 10-Q ) 
• Amendment 3/12/2001

Jim Ross

As an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:

• Contract as of 10/29/96 (published 8/29/03 10-Q ) 
• Amendments: 3/12/01, 6/2/03, 8/23/03

Linda McMahon

As an officer of WWE, her contract has been published in SEC filings:

• Contract as of 1/1/2000 (published 7/31/00 10-K)

Lawsuits

Brock Lesnar

Brock sued WWE in 2005 about his "non-compete" clause which was preventing him from competing worldwide. A lot of documents, including his contract, were released.

• Brock Lesnar (2003) 
• Brock Lesnar General Release (2004)

Chris Kanyon 

In October 2008, as part of WWE's response to independent contractor lawsuit, the booking contract for Kanyon was included as exhibits of WWE's motion to dismiss.

• Chris Kanyon (2002) lawsuit filed in August 2008; dismissed March 2009 

Mike Sanders

In October 2008, as part of WWE's response to independent contractor lawsuit, the booking contract for Sanders was included as exhibits of WWE's motion to dismiss.

• Mike Sanders (2001) lawsuit filed in August 2008; dismissed March 2009

Scott Levy (Raven)  

In October 2008, as part of WWE's response to independent contractor lawsuit, the booking contract for Levy was included as exhibits of WWE's motion to dismiss.

• Scott Levy (Johnny Poly) 1993 contract (filed in May 2017 as part of Royalties Lawsuit) 
• Scott Levy (Raven) (2000 contract) lawsuit filed in August 2008; dismissed March 2009
• Raven's 2003 release letter from WWE. 

Levy later joined the Buff Bagwell Royalties lawsuit.

• Levy's 1997 Merchandising Contract with WCW was filed as an exhibit in December 2016.

Konnan/TNA

Konnan sued TNA in 2008 over "bodily injury claims", "racial discrimination claims" and trademark claims. His 2004 & 2005 TNA contracts were included as part of this lawsuit.

• Konnan (2004/2005)

Matt Hardy/TNA

Matt Hardy & Anthem Wrestling (TNA) had a dispute in 2017 over ownership of the "Broken Matt Hardy" gimmick.

• Ed Nordholm (Anthem) released a portion of Matt Hardy's TNA document to wrestling media in May 2017
• Portions of Matt Hardy's TNA Contract

Ultimate Warrior

Jim Hellwig and Vince McMahon & WWF sued and counter-sued each other numerous times, especially over the "Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior" DVD. Included in the lawsuits were Ultimate Warrior's Booking Contracts for 1987, 1992 and 1996. For more information, I recommend checking out David Bixenspan's article in Issue 104 of Fighting Spirit Magazine.

• Ultimate Warrior (1987) booking contract
• Ultimate Warrior (1992) booking contract
• Ultimate Warrior (1996) booking contract
• Offer letter from Vince McMahon (Dec 1997) to Ultimate Warrior
• Summer Slam 1991 Payoff Sheet

Owen Hart

Martha Hart sued the WWE over "wrongful use of Owen's name and likeness" and sought (among other things) alleged unpaid royalties in June 2010.

Owen's 1996 Booking contract was included in the filing.

• Owen Hart 1996-1999 Booking Contracts

Evan Singleton  

Developmental wrestler Evan Singleton sued World Wrestling Entertainment - related to CTE claims.
"Under the guise of providing entertainment, the WWE has, for decades, subjected its wrestlers to extreme physical brutality that it knew, or should have known, caused created latent conditions and long-term irreversible bodily damage, including brain damage"

• Evan Singleton (Developmental Contract, 2011)

Big Vito

 Big Vito sued World Wrestling Entertainment - related to CTE claims.
"Under the guise of providing entertainment, the WWE has, for decades, subjected its wrestlers to extreme physical brutality that it knew, or should have known, caused created latent conditions and long-term irreversible bodily damage, including brain damage"

• Vito LoGrasso (WWE, 2005)

Nelson Frazier (Mabel / Viscera / Big Daddy V) 

Frazier's widow, Cassandra Frazier, sued the WWE in 2015 in TN. (See filings.) The case was later combined with the other concussion lawsuits in CT. WWE included Frazier's four contracts when they were arguing venue and noted his annual earnings while employed with WWF/WWE.

Nelson Frazier, Jr., a famous international professional wrestler better known by his ring

names "Mabel," "King Mabel," "Viscera," and "Big Daddy V." action, predicated on the WWE's wrongful conduct giving rise to the long-term consequences of multiple concussions and other serious, permanent, and disabling injuries suffered during Nelson Frazier, Jr.'s approximately fifteen-year WWE career. Plaintiff, as the sole surviving spouse and next of kin of Nelson Frazier, Jr., is the successor in interest to Nelson Frazier, jr. and is the personal representative of the Estate of Nelson Frazier, Jr. Mr. Frazier died February 18, 2014 at the age of 43 as a result of injuries he sustained as a result of wrestling for the WWE. Plaintiff seeks compensation and such further relief as justice may require for accumulation of long-term chronic injuries, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), financial losses, pain and suffering, expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and intangible human losses suffered by the Plaintiff as a result of WWE's willful, wanton, reckless, and grossly negligent and other conduct and omissions, which resulted in Mr. Frazier suffering repetitive serious head injuries, brain trauma, concussions, other serious injuries, and eventually the heart attack which took his life.

• Nelson Frazier contract - 1993 (WWF)
• Nelson Frazier contract - 1999 (WWF)
• Nelson Frazier contract - 2004 (WWE)
• Nelson Fraizer contract - 2007 (WWE) [alt link] 
• Termination Letter

Sonny Onoo

As part of a racial discrimination case against WCW filed by Sonny Onoo (and others), these contracts were included in the lawsuit:

• Sonny Onoo Contracts (1994-1999)
• Jeremy Borash Contract
• Eric Bischoff Agreement as of May 2000
• WCW Talent Contracts as of May, 2000
• WCW Payroll 1996-2000
• Overview of all WCW Wrestler Documents from this case

Hulk Hogan

Filed as a random exhibit in the Easterling racial discrimination case (Easterling v . World Championship Wrestling, Inc . and Turner Sports, Inc . and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc . , Civ . File No . 1 :00-CV-1715-CC), Hulk Hogan's full 1998 contract was included.

• Hulk Hogan's 1998 Contract with WCW

• Marvel's 1985 agreement with Titan Sports regarding the "Hulk Hogan" name

Ranger Ross

Ranger Ross (Robert Ross, Jr.) sued WCW in 1993 for racial discrimination. Filings from this case, included Ranger Ross' 1991 contract and 1989-1991 pay statements were included in later racial discrimination cases filed by WCW wrestlers such as Bobby Walker.

• Ranger Ross 1991 Contract and 1989-1991 pay statements

Matt Osbourne (Doink the Clown)

Matt Borne had two contracts with WWF: one in 1985 and one in 1992.

• Matt Borne / Doink the Clown contract: 1985/1992

Russ McCullough

Filed in California, "Big" Russ McCullough's WWE booking contract was filed as part of the WWE's motion to transfer venue to CT.

• Russ McCullough - 2000

Luther Reigns

Filed in California, Luther Reigns (Matthew Wiese)'s WWE booking contract was filed as part of the WWE's motion to transfer venue to CT.

• Matthew Wiese - 2004

Ryan Sakoda

Filed in California, Sakoda's 2004 WWE booking contract was filed as part of the WWE's motion to transfer venue to CT.

• Ryan Sakoda - 2004

Bobby Walker

Bobby Walker sued WCW for Racial Discrimination in 1998 and 2000.

• Bobby Walker 1993 - 1999 Contracts

Rene Dupree

Rene Dupree sued WWE for WWE Network Royalties in April 2016. His 2003 contract was included in the initial filing.

• Rene Dupree 2003 Contract

Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Chavo Guerrero's contracts from 2001, 2004 and 2010 were submitted as part of a lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon with 50+ plaintiffs.

• Chavo Guerrero Jr. 2001 contract
• Chavo Guerrero Jr. 2004 contract
• Chavo Guerrero Jr. 2010 contract

Buff Bagwell

Buff Bagwell filed suit against WWE in August 2016 for royalties payment from the WWE Network.

• 1998 WCW Wrestler Contract
• 1998 WCW Merchandising Contract
• 2001 WWF Contract with Buff Bagwell (WCW, Inc. was WWF's holding company for WCW assets)
• 2001 Letter from WWF releasing him from his WCW, Inc. contract

See also Buff Bagwell payroll records from the WCW Racial Discrimination lawsuit.

Chris Benoit

Uncovered by David Bixenspan during communication with USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), here is a redacted version of 

• Benoit's 1995 contract with WCW.
• Chris Benoit's 2006 contact with WWE

Marcial Davis

WCW Trainee who later sued World Championship Wrestling for racial discrimination. Signed a contract in April 1999 and was released in September 1999.

• April 1999 WCW Independent Contractor Agreement

Hardbody Harrison

• April 1999 - WCW Contract

Ray Hernandez

Ray Hernandez's 1984 contract with Mid-South wrestling is public as part of a 1984 lawsuit by a spectator injured during a wrestling match.

• Ray Hernandez's 1984 Contract with Mid-South Wrestling 

Missy Hyatt

From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit...

• Missy Hyatt 1986 contract

John Tatum

From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit...

• John Tatum 1986 contract

Buddy Roberts

From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit..

• Buddy Roberts 1986 contract

Missing Link (Byron Robertston)

From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit..

• Missing Link 1986 contract

Michael Hayes

From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit..

• Michael Hayes 1986 contract

Terry Gordy 

From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit..

• Terry Gordy 1986 contract

One Man Gang (George Gray)

• One Man Gang 1986 contract

Contractor Nostalgia Agreements

Road Warrior Animal

In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Road Warrior Animal (Joe Laurinaitis).

• Joseph Laurinaitis (Contractor Nostalgia Agreement dated February 13, 2009)

Sabu

In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Sabu (Terry Brunk).

• Terry Brunk (Contractor Nostalgia Agreement dated September 15, 2005)

Kamala

In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Kamala (James Harris).

• James Harris (Contractor Nostalgia Agreements dated June 21, 2005, and June 21, 2011)

One Man Gang

In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Akeem / One Man Gang (George Gray).

• George Gray (Contractor Nostalgia Agreements dated October 16, 2004 and October 16, 2009)

Jimmy Snuka

In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka (James W. Snuka).

• James W. Snuka (Contractor Nostalgia Agreements dated March 8, 2007, and October 1, 2013)
• Nov 1991 Release Letter

Paul Orndorff

In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Paul Orndorff.

• Paul Orndorff (Contractor Nostalgia Agreements dated January 22, 2005,  January 22, 2010, and January 22, 2015)

Bryan Clark

Bryan Clark's 2015 Contractor Nostalgia Agreement was included as part of a lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon with 50+ plaintiffs.

• Bryan Clark's 2015 Contractor Nostalgia Agreement Agreement