What Makes The Rock’s WWE Contract Stand Out

The Rock, also known as Dwayne Johnson, recently signed a WWE talent contract after joining the TKO Group Board of Directors in January. This contract has some interesting details that were uncovered by Brandon Thurston from Wrestle Nomics. It was published as an exhibit in WWE’s annual report in February.

One key point in the contract is that The Rock has the freedom to hire third-party service providers to help develop concepts, scripts, and storylines with WWE’s approval. WWE will cover the costs of these service providers through reimbursement to The Rock’s company, Seven Bucks Entertainment.

The contract is valued at $30 million in TKO equity, known as the Johnson Equity Award, which will vest on a schedule by the end of 2025. Part of this equity is for licensing The Rock’s name, likeness, and intellectual property rights to WWE for use in certain licensed products related to professional wrestling for up to 10 years, with restrictions on usage for things like political ads, alcohol, and tobacco without approval.

Additionally, The Rock received nearly $491,000 in royalties at the end of 2023 and will continue to receive annual royalties for products featuring his intellectual property. He is expected to make a return to WWE after fulfilling his movie commitments, with a rumored rivalry and match against WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion Cody Rhodes.

Overall, The Rock’s contract with WWE seems to be a lucrative and mutually beneficial agreement, allowing him to continue his involvement in the wrestling world while exploring other creative ventures. Fans are eager to see what the future holds for the renowned wrestler and actor in the world of entertainment.