Cody Rhodes On WWE Pay Structure: 'That Next Level Pay Is Now Comparable With Sports'

Wrestlers are reaching a new level of earning power, so much so that Cody Rhodes believes that WWE Superstar pay is inching closer that of athletes in major professional sports.

During a recent interview with "Flagrant," Rhodes offered a glimpse into how WWE's pay structure has evolved by citing company President Nick Khan.

"Nick Khan had a great quote about 'These guys are going to do well. These guys are going to do really well and then these couple guys, they're going to do next level.' And that next level pay is now comparable with sports," Rhodes said. "That's the part that I'm so proud of being a wrestler because when you'd hear baseball contracts and NBA contracts, and you know as a wrestler that you could go all over the world and be known and be seen, but you weren't on that level. You were on the level of penetration but not that level of income. Now, modern TKO and Nick have made it that you are."

Rhodes described the money being made in the pro wrestling business as "very good," with amounts cited in WWE contracts now being guaranteed. "The American Nightmare" believes his late father, Dusty Rhodes, would have been particularly "shocked" by today's payouts.

Upon returning to WWE in 2022, Rhodes propelled to the main event scene, where he went on to win the Undisputed WWE Championship on three separate occasions. He currently finds himself in a feud with Randy Orton, his former mentor in the stable known as Legacy and a 14-time world champion.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Flagrant" with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.