The Rock, one of the biggest names in professional wrestling and entertainment, made his WWE debut at Survivor Series in 1996 as a highly touted prospect. While his initial babyface persona, Rocky Maivia, didnt resonate with fans, he found his footing when he transformed into The Rock alongside The Nation of Domination. By 1999, The Rock was positioned next to Stone Cold Steve Austin as one of the top stars in the wrestling world.
During a recent interview with Patrick Bet-David, The Rock shared insight into his first contract negotiation with Vince McMahon and the pivotal moments that shaped his career trajectory.
The Rock spoke highly of his relationship with McMahon, built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to hard work. He recalled, The relationship between Vince and I was a great relationship because it was based on my willingness to work for every dollar. Our relationship was about the work, willing to put in the work, and I have a tremendous, boundless respect for the business of pro wrestling that is so deeply important to him. Thats his life. Thats his world. Its his blood.
The Rock explained how he felt destined to take WWE to new heights after his rise as The Rock. When McMahon asked, Whats next? after his career began to take off, The Rocks response was bold: I feel whats next is to take this brass ring and take it to places its never been. That shared vision marked the beginning of The Rocks ascension to superstardom.
The Rocks First WWE Contract: Humble Beginnings
The Rocks initial WWE contract wasnt what many would expect for a future megastar. My very first contract with WWE with Vince was a five-year contract for $150,000 a year, The Rock shared.
While $150,000 a year may seem like a solid sum, The Rock noted that with the costs associated with being on the roadsuch as hotels, food, and transportationhe had to stretch his earnings. When youre wrestling 250 dates a year, do the math with what youre getting per match, he explained, making it clear that he had to grind to make ends meet.
Negotiating a Million-Dollar Deal
As The Rocks popularity soared, it became time to renegotiate his contract. McMahon suggested that The Rock might need an agent, but the wrestler declined, opting instead to negotiate directly. I said, Id like to negotiate with you directly. How we met was with a handshake, and I believe how were going to do this is with a handshake, The Rock explained.
When asked what he wanted, The Rock boldly inquired about the highest-paid wrestler on the roster. At the time, it was Stone Cold Steve Austin, who was earning a guaranteed $1 million. The Rock didnt hesitate: I want two. While McMahon was initially surprised, he respected The Rocks logic and ambition. However, he had a condition: The Rock needed to learn the business side of wrestling.
Over the next few weeks, The Rock immersed himself in learning the economics of WWE, including venue costs, wrestler payouts, and state taxes. After that crash course, The Rock renegotiated his contract, asking to match Austins $1 million guarantee, understanding now how the business worked. But McMahon had another surprise in store.
He said, How much do you think youre going to make this year? I said, Maybe $1.5 million? He said, Youre going to make $15 million. By the late 90s and early 2000s, WWE was booming, and The Rocks career was about to hit new heights.
The Rocks Legacy: From Wrestling to Hollywood
From those early contract negotiations to becoming one of WWEs biggest stars, The Rocks career only continued to soar. By the time the wrestling world entered a boom period in 1999-2000, The Rock had made well over $15 million, not just in wrestling but in his ventures in Hollywood and business.
The rest is history. The Rock has since become a global icon, transcending professional wrestling and achieving massive success in film, business, and beyond.
What are your thoughts on The Rocks rise to stardom and his approach to negotiating with Vince McMahon? Let us know in the comments below!
