Maven is back with another one of his YouTube videos.
In this week’s vlog, the former WWE Tough Enough winner discussed the royalties he received from the WWE Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth video game, which was featured on PS2 at the time.
You can check out some highlights from the vlog below:
On his royalties for SmackDown!: Shut Your Mouth: “So, my royalty payments were anywhere from, at the time, between $2,000-$7,000 every quarter. This would be a determinant of your positioning on the show. Obviously, The Rock, Chris Jericho, Trish Stratus, Stacy Keibler, Undertaker, they were higher up in the company so they were making a ton more and it would obviously depend on how the video game sold. Was it selling good? Was it flying off the shelves? If so, you were making more money for royalty payments. Video games accounted for roughly 20% of [his royalty payments]. So, if I made $2,000 in royalties, I might make $400 of that because of the video games.”
On getting paid to have his likeness used: “That first scan, that very first time they take you off, when they’re in essence buying your rights, that’s the check you want, and that’s a check that I still wish I was getting today. I didn’t make $10,000. I didn’t make $20,000. They paid me $30,000. That was the royalty payment I got for being scanned into the video game. I saw one of the biggest checks I had ever seen with my name on it.”
Former WWE wrestler Maven recently released a new YouTube video discussing the royalties he received from the WWE Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth video game. Maven, who won the WWE Tough Enough competition, shared some interesting insights into the financial aspects of being featured in a popular video game.
According to Maven, his royalty payments for SmackDown!: Shut Your Mouth ranged from $2,000 to $7,000 every quarter. The amount he received depended on his positioning within the company and the success of the video game. Superstars like The Rock, Chris Jericho, Trish Stratus, Stacy Keibler, and Undertaker, who held higher positions in the company, earned significantly more in royalties. Maven also revealed that video games accounted for approximately 20% of his total royalty payments. For example, if he made $2,000 in royalties, around $400 of that would be attributed to the video game.
One of the most exciting moments for Maven was when he received his first payment for allowing his likeness to be used in the video game. He mentioned that this initial payment, which he referred to as the “buying your rights” check, was the most significant one he had ever received. Maven disclosed that he was paid $30,000 for being scanned into the video game, a sum that left him in awe.
The YouTube video shared by Maven provides further details on his experience and can be viewed for those interested in learning more about his journey and the financial aspects of being featured in a WWE video game.
Maven’s vlog sheds light on a lesser-known aspect of the wrestling industry. While fans are familiar with the physicality and drama of professional wrestling, the financial side is often overlooked. Maven’s insights into royalty payments and the initial payment for using his likeness in a video game offer a glimpse into the business side of being a WWE superstar.
It is fascinating to see how video games play a significant role in the income of wrestlers. The success of a game directly impacts the royalty payments received by the wrestlers featured in it. This highlights the importance of not only being popular within the wrestling industry but also having a strong presence in the gaming community.
Maven’s story serves as a reminder that being a professional wrestler involves more than just performing in the ring. It requires managing various revenue streams, including merchandise sales, appearances, and video game royalties. Maven’s experience with the WWE Smackdown! Shut Your Mouth video game demonstrates how these additional income sources can significantly impact a wrestler’s financial stability.
Overall, Maven’s YouTube video provides an interesting perspective on the financial aspects of being a WWE superstar and sheds light on the royalties received from video games. It serves as a valuable resource for fans and aspiring wrestlers who want to understand the business side of the industry and the potential income opportunities beyond the wrestling ring.