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News on How Much Bobby Heenan Made In WWE Compared To Other Announcers

September 25, 2017 | Posted by Larry Csonka
WWE WWF Bobby Heenan Bobby Heenan's WWF Prime Time Wrestling Image Credit: WWE

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, here is a breakdown of how much Jesse Ventura, Gorilla Monsoon, Gene Okerlund and Bobby Heenan were paid for their work as announcers by the then WWF…

* Jesse Ventura earned $133,317 in 1987, $142,902 in 1988, $181,914 in 1989 and $128,468 in 1990. Once Ventura started working for WCW, he was at the $300,000 a year level.

* Gorilla Monsoon earned $262,712 in 1987, $228,800 in 1988, $231,611 in 1989 and $231,611 in 1990; his deal included his front office duties as well as prelim money from all house shows.

* Bobby Heenan earned $195,864 in 1987, $206,590 in 1988, $235,755 in 1989 and $240,000 in 1990. It should be noted that Heenan’s deal was for both managing and announcing. He signed a contract with a $275,000 guarantee starting in 1991.

* Gene Okerlund earned $367,923 in 1987, $324,975 in 1988, $309,639 in 1989 and $330,539 in 1990. Okerlund’s pay was higher because of the guarantee he received when he jumped to WWE with Hulk Hogan in 1983. He also made more because he travelled more than the other announcers, other than Heenan, because he would be on the road each week to do localized market interviews with talent.

article topics :

Bobby Heenan, WWE, Larry Csonka