Dwayne Johnson’s $80 Million Payday Didn’t Come From The Smashing Machine

It’s no secret that Dwayne Johnson is one of the highest-earning blokes in showbiz, but his latest windfall has left many punters scratching their heads. Reports have surfaced that Johnson has scored a whopping $80 million, but surprisingly, this tidy sum didn’t come from his much-hyped film, The Smashing Machine, which didn’t exactly set the box office alight. Instead, the cash came from his ongoing gig with WWE.

WWE Deal Brings in the Big Bucks

According to wrestling insider Dave Meltzer, Johnson’s part-time contract with WWE has been a goldmine.

I haven’t calculated what Dwayne’s probably fixing on—80 million dollars over… this will be the end of the second year of that deal. Because he signed that deal on… was it January 3rd, 2024? Right. So two years—80 million dollars, roughly. Unbelievable.

Meltzer also pointed out that this figure doesn’t even include his cut from merchandise, or his pay for WrestleMania and other live appearances, which could add several more million to his already hefty bank balance.

How The Smashing Machine Fared

Despite Johnson’s star power, The Smashing Machine didn’t deliver the kind of payday he’s used to. Word is, he took home just $4 million for the role—well below his usual $20 million-plus per film. Some insiders even reckon he handed over a chunk of his fee to co-stars Emily Blunt and Kerr. The film itself cost around $50 million to make, thanks to tax breaks from Vancouver and New Mexico, but only managed to pull in $21 million at the box office worldwide. Not exactly a great look for a bloke of his calibre.

Still, critics seemed to enjoy it. The film scored a 71% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 74% audience score, with a 6.4 out of 10 on IMDb. So, while it didn’t rake in the cash, it wasn’t a total flop with reviewers.

Johnson’s Hollywood Earnings and Net Worth

As it stands, Johnson’s net worth is estimated at a jaw-dropping $800 million. That figure includes his 30-40% stake in Teremana Tequila, which is currently valued at around $2 billion, as well as his earnings from acting and wrestling. He’s consistently ranked among the world’s top-paid entertainers.

Here’s a quick look at some of his biggest film paydays over the years:

Film Salaries:

• The Scorpion King (2001): $5.5 million
• The Rundown (2003): $12.5 million
• Walking Tall (2004): $15 million
• Skyscraper (2018): $20 million
• Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019): $20 million
• Jumanji: The Next Level (2019): $23.5 million
• Red Notice (2019): $23.5 million
• Jungle Cruise (2021): $22 million
• Black Adam (2022): $22.5 million
• Red One (2023): $50 million

With numbers like these, it’s clear Johnson’s earning power in both wrestling and film is second to none. Whether he’s in the ring or on the big screen, the bloke knows how to bring in the dollars.