Vince McMahon, his daughter Stephanie McMahon and son-in-law Triple H combine to make every wheel turn in World Wrestling Entertainment, whether it’s behind the scenes or in the ring as a performer.
Nobody could say that they’re not team players, especially WWE owner Vincent Kennedy McMahon.
Despite being owner and CEO of the sports entertainment company, McMahon’s $3.3 million salary last year was actually less than three top executives with the company, as reported by the Stamford Advocate earlier this week. The hometown publication for WWE’s Stamford, Conn. headquarters reported that a stock award given to George Barrios, Michelle Wilson and Kevin Dunn helped to push each of their salaries past McMahon’s in 2015.
Dunn, WWE executive producer, received $4.8 million after raking in the stock award, with Barrios, who is listed on the WWE’s website as chief financial and strategy officer, earned $4.5 million. Wilson, the company’s chief revenue and marketing officer, also received $4.5 million last year.
This bump up in salary was made possible due to the aforementioned three execs holding class-A shares of the company’s stock.
Where does this leave Triple H, real name Paul Levesque? Well, for greasing the wheels, doing everything from being the company’s executive vice president of talent, live events and creative to calling the shots on Monday Night Raw and still being active as a WWE superstar himself, Levesque earned $3.1 million after the stock gain.
Hey, maybe he’ll earn even more this year, considering he started it in January by winning the Royal Rumble and being crowned WWE World Heavyweight champ and will defend the title against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 32 on April 3.
His wife, Stephanie McMahon, earned an approximate $1.7 million in 2015, for her role as the company’s chief brand officer, as reported by the Stamford Advocate.
The Stamford Advocate additionally reports that WWE’s compensation committee is anchored by Frank Riddick III, CEO of FloWorks International, while the largest stock holder of WWE class-A stock is Lindsell Train, a London-based firm that has 16 percent of the company’s stock. It adds that WWE has its annual meeting slated for next month at the Hilton Stamford Hotel.