The Rock entered the TKO board members’ panel a few months back and successfully carried out a lot of added decision-making responsibilities alongside his extraordinary in-ring work. Now, despite the Brahma Bull taking a temporary pause from his wrestling endeavor, the Stamford-based company handed him a new WWE contract, strengthening his firm relationship with the promotion.
While the papers include a series of lucrative clauses, a particular one raised some controversy for containing the same trap of CM Punk’s AEW removal.
The Rock’s new WWE contract has a close analogy with CM Punk’s AEW contract
CM Punk has been at the top of the discussion since his WWE return last year. Although injury marred the Seventh City Saint’s second WWE stint to some extent, he’s still on his way to achieving excellence. But his tumultuous AEW scandal continues to emerge in the lore again and again. In an official statement, Khan revealed that he fired Punk from the promotion following a scuffle with Jack Perry in AEW All In, utilizing the terminating power mentioned in his contract clause. Now, surprisingly, the same clause has been spotted in The Rock’s new WWE contract.
Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics recently shared insights about The Rock’s contract, in which a clause reads,
”(a) Termination by WWE. The DJ Parties and Talent agree that WWE shall have the right to terminate this agreement:
(i) Immediately in the event that a Cause Event has occurred and the DJ Parties have failed to cure (if such breach can be cured) such Cause Event after thirty (30) days following written notice from WWE setting forth the nature of such breach in reasonable detail (a termination due to a Cause Event in accordance with the foregoing may also be referred to herein as a termination for “Cause”)”
Termination for Cause refers to the firing of an employee for valid, legally classified reasons or exploitation of the company’s code of conduct.
Does it imply a CM Punk-like situation might follow the Final Boss sooner or later? While it’s a tricky one to answer, we can, for now, focus on the good part, which is the big money deal and the other perks that have been offered to The Rock through this contract.
The Rock’s high-flying compensation structure under the new contract: Explained
Johnson currently holds a $30 million worth equity stake in TKO, distributed incrementally through the end of 2025. While the full details of his compensation structure remain undercover, it’s pretty handsome for sure. To look at the other perks mentioned in the special contract, it grants Johnson huge control over the use of his brand, and restriction over WWE’s use of his name, likeness, and other intellectual properties.
Also, the exclusion extends to pop-up ads, political advertisements, and products like alcohol, tobacco, and medical items without his explicit consent. This is a conscious effort to safeguard Johnson’s massive public image.
