Kross claims he made more money outside WWE right away
Summary
– Killer Kross said he was making more money outside WWE immediately after leaving the company
– Kross said wrestlers can earn more away from WWE depending on what the company offers them
– He also said WWE-style contracts can be misleading because talent can still be released before the full term ends
Killer Kross is making it clear that leaving WWE did not hurt him financially.
During an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Kross was asked whether a wrestler can make more money outside WWE than inside the company. Kross said the answer depends on what WWE is offering, but he made it clear that it is absolutely possible.
When asked if he had already reached that point himself, Kross said he was there right away after leaving WWE.
Kross explained that he knew his market value while he was still having conversations with WWE. That confidence shaped how he approached those talks because he believed he could show the company what he was worth.
According to Kross, WWE did not treat that information as important. That made his exit about more than creative frustration because he also felt the company did not recognize his value the same way he did.
Kross also spoke about how wrestling contracts can look safer from the outside than they really are. He pointed out that even if fans hear about a three-, five-, or longer-term deal, the company can still decide to move on.
He said that if a company can terminate a contract at any point, then the only thing a wrestler may truly know is that the pay tied to a non-compete period is guaranteed.
Kross compared that structure to UFC contracts, saying those deals are also heavily tilted in favor of the company. He noted that fighters may celebrate long-term deals, but a loss can still leave them vulnerable to being cut.
Since becoming a free agent, Kross said he has focused on building his own business lanes. He studied WWE’s model while he was there and paid attention to how the company monetized talent.
Now, Kross said he is working directly with independent vendors and building revenue streams without relying on one major platform. That means he is not depending only on wrestling appearances to make money.
Kross described his WWE exit as one of the best things that ever happened to him. He said he feels more fulfilled now because he knows what he can do when he is not being limited.
For Kross, the message is simple. Life after WWE has given him more freedom, more control, and, according to him, better financial results right away.
