The Rock receives $900,000 in royalties and $2.6 million in travel reimbursements

In a recent annual report, TKO Group Holdings disclosed financial details involving WWE and UFC, revealing that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson received $900,000 in royalties and $2.6 million in travel reimbursements in 2024. This information was made public through an SEC filing, shedding light on the compensation received by The Rock for his contributions to the entertainment industry.

The report outlined a significant agreement between WWE and Dwayne Johnson, in which WWE assigned the “The Rock” trademark and related intellectual property assets to Mr. Johnson’s affiliates. This IP Assignment Agreement also included the provision of certain services by Mr. Johnson, such as promotional activities, under an Independent Services Contractor and Merchandising Agreement. As part of this arrangement, Mr. Johnson was granted an award of restricted stock units amounting to $30.0 million.

Furthermore, the report detailed the terms of the Johnson Services Agreement, which entailed the licensing of the assigned intellectual property and Mr. Johnson’s name and likeness to WWE for a specified period. In exchange for these services and intellectual property rights, Mr. Johnson received royalties from WWE, with $0.9 million being paid out in 2024. Additionally, Mr. Johnson was reimbursed $2.6 million for travel expenses associated with delivering these services, highlighting the substantial financial dealings within the entertainment industry.

In light of WWE’s recent acquisition of Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, JBL, a WWE Hall of Famer, shared insights on the company’s global growth strategy. JBL emphasized the benefits of integrating established promotions like AAA into the WWE system, citing the avoidance of creating new NXT branches from scratch. He expressed optimism about the mutually beneficial relationship between WWE and AAA, enabling talent exchange and development without the need for additional developmental territories.

Furthermore, JBL commented on Jeremy Borash’s involvement in AAA’s creative direction, praising him as a suitable choice but acknowledging the challenges of aligning creative direction with Mexico’s distinct wrestling style and cultural identity. Despite the potential difficulties, JBL recognized the value of incorporating fresh perspectives and talents into the wrestling landscape, underscoring the importance of honoring traditions while embracing innovation.

Lastly, WWE made additions to the lineup for an episode of SmackDown, announcing a John Cena segment and a match between Chelsea Green and Zelina Vega for the United States Title. These developments reflect WWE’s ongoing commitment to delivering engaging content to its audience, featuring popular superstars and competitive matchups that captivate fans worldwide. The inclusion of these events underscores WWE’s dedication to providing entertaining and dynamic programming for its viewers.