The Rock made a triumphant return at WrestleMania 40, delighting fans and evoking nostalgia for those who hadn’t tuned into wrestling for years.
His presence wasn’t just a thrill for enthusiasts but also proved lucrative for his bank account.
Earlier in January, TKO Group, the parent company of WWE and UFC, appointed Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to its board of directors. As part of this arrangement, The Rock entered into a merchandising and promotional agreement with WWE, allowing them to utilize his name, image, and likeness for the next decade.
In exchange, TKO granted Johnson $30 million worth of stock.
At WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes clinched victory over Roman Reigns, becoming the new Undisputed Universal Champion, with The Rock playing a significant role across both event nights. This resulted in a substantial payout for him, totaling nearly $10 million in TKO stock following the Showcase of The Immortals.
Johnson received 96,558 shares of TKO Group Holdings Class A common stock following his WrestleMania comeback. Per the terms of his promotional deal, he received a quarter of the stock upon its activation, with another quarter slated for year-end. The subsequent 50% will be distributed in monthly installments throughout 2025, with the remainder contingent on undisclosed benchmarks outlined in the service agreement.
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Thanks to appearances by Dwayne Johnson, alongside wrestling icons like The Undertaker and John Cena, WrestleMania 40 witnessed a notable surge in viewership on Peacock, with a 41% increase from the previous year, setting new records.
The Rock’s return ensured that WrestleMania 40 boasted must-watch main events each night, contributing to its unprecedented success. The event also shattered the attendance record set by WrestleMania 39, welcoming 145,298 fans to Lincoln Financial Stadium over two electrifying nights.
