Priscilla Kelly, formerly known as Gigi Dolin during her time in WWE, has opened the curtain on one of professional wrestling’s most uncomfortable truths: developmental wrestlers often earn significantly less than fans assume, and independent circuit work frequently pays the bills better than a WWE contract.
In a candid conversation with wrestling journalist Denise Salcedo, Kelly addressed the widespread misconception that anyone working under the WWE umbrella automatically achieves financial success. Her remarks shed light on the genuine struggles facing NXT performers, many of whom juggle modest salaries with substantial living expenses in Florida while remaining contractually prohibited from outside income during their developmental years.
Dispelling the Millionaire Myth
The narrative surrounding WWE employment has long been distorted in the public imagination. Fans often assume that any wrestler on the company’s roster lives a lavish lifestyle complete with mansion homes and luxury vehicles. Kelly directly challenged this fantasy during her interview.[2]
“Like a lot of fans, for some reason, think that if you work in WWE and you’re under that umbrella, you’re a millionaire, you live in a mansion, you’re driving a Benz, like you’ve got it made,” Kelly explained. “That’s not the case. And NXT, there’s contracts as low as $30,000 a year, and they don’t go as high as you think.”[2]
The reality is far more sobering. At the developmental level, wrestlers operate on shoestring budgets that barely support a modest lifestyle, let alone the glamorous existence pop culture portrays. According to industry sources close to WWE’s talent relations department, contract negotiations at the NXT level remain notoriously restrictive, with many newcomers signing multi-year deals without meaningful salary increases between renewals.
The Florida Cost of Living Crisis
One factor amplifying financial strain for NXT talent is the mandatory relocation to Florida, where WWE’s Performance Center operates. While the Sunshine State attracts tourists seeking beaches and theme parks, it simultaneously drains wallets through elevated housing costs, transportation expenses, and general living expenses.[2]
Kelly emphasized that geography compounds the financial pressure facing developmental performers. “When you have to live in Florida, which is very expensive to live here… it all adds up,” she noted.[2]
A performer earning $30,000 annually in Florida faces significant challenges. After taxes, the remaining income barely covers rent in areas near the Performance Center, leaving minimal resources for food, transportation, utilities, and the specialized expenses wrestlers require—physical therapy, professional gear, nutritional supplements, and training sessions to maintain competitive athleticism.
The Independent Circuit Alternative
For Kelly, the solution came through independent wrestling promotions. The freedom to work for multiple organizations while maintaining creative control translated directly into superior earnings compared to her NXT compensation.[2]
“And even main roster talent, like, of course, there are people on the main roster that are making the really big, big, big bucks, but that’s a small percentage,” Kelly stated, contextualizing that income inequality extends across WWE’s entire structure.[2]
The independent circuit offers financial advantages precisely because wrestlers aren’t restricted from multiple bookings. A performer can wrestle Friday night in Georgia, Saturday night in Michigan, and Sunday in Pennsylvania, accumulating payment from each promotion. These earnings compound rapidly compared to a static NXT salary.
Veteran wrestling journalist noting patterns in wrestler departures commented that “wrestlers like Priscilla Kelly represent a growing trend of performers realizing that freedom and financial stability exist outside WWE’s system. The company’s restrictive contract language combined with modest compensation creates the perfect conditions for talent to seek opportunities elsewhere, particularly when they’ve already proven themselves capable of drawing crowds independently.”
Main Roster Expenses Tell the Same Story
While NXT wrestlers face developmental constraints, main roster talent navigate their own financial minefield. Although top-tier performers command substantial salaries, the expenses associated with a WWE career consume significant portions of that income.[2]
“They make good money, but they’re also paying for every hotel. They’re paying for all their travel and all this, the food, everything they need, on top of the other expenses of gear and taking care of your body and taking care of your sanity,” Kelly explained regarding main roster performers.[2]
Professional wrestlers essentially function as independent contractors despite WWE’s classification of them as employees. Unlike traditional employment where companies cover travel, accommodations, and equipment, wrestlers absorb these costs from their paychecks. A performer traveling 200+ days annually across North America faces substantial hotel, rental car, and meal expenses that accumulate rapidly.
The Contract Negotiation Reality
Kelly’s experience parallels that of other wrestlers who’ve publicly discussed their WWE compensation. Jazmyn Nyx, another NXT performer, left the company over a financial disagreement when WWE refused to increase her $75,000 annual salary despite her appearances on television and additional TNA work commitments.[4]
These contract disputes reveal WWE’s rigid approach to developmental talent compensation. The company typically offers standardized salaries regardless of individual circumstances, television exposure, or supplementary work commitments. Performers lack meaningful leverage during negotiations, particularly at the entry-level developmental stage when they’re eager to establish their WWE presence.
Financial Reality for Female Wrestlers
Female wrestlers face particular financial pressure within WWE’s ecosystem. While the company invested heavily in women’s wrestling programming and storylines, compensation packages haven’t necessarily evolved proportionately.[1]
Current estimates suggest Priscilla Kelly maintains a net worth of approximately $1 million as of 2025, generated through a combination of NXT contracts, independent bookings, merchandise sales, and social media earnings.[1] Her monthly social media revenue reportedly ranges between $6,000 and $9,000, demonstrating how platforms supplement wrestling income for performers with established fanbases.[1]
What This Means for WWE’s Talent Pipeline
Kelly’s revelations carry significant implications for WWE’s developmental system. If wrestlers can earn substantially more through independent promotions than through NXT contracts, the company risks losing promising young talent before they reach main roster status. The financial gap creates perverse incentives where wrestlers prioritize independent bookings over Performance Center training and television exposure.
This dynamic potentially weakens WWE’s developmental pipeline precisely when the company has publicly emphasized investing in long-term talent cultivation. Wrestlers voting with their wallets by pursuing independent opportunities send clear market signals about compensation adequacy.
Looking Forward
Priscilla Kelly’s perspective represents an increasingly common narrative within professional wrestling. As wrestlers gain platforms to discuss financial realities through podcasts, interviews, and social media, the mythology surrounding WWE employment continues eroding. The company maintains a competitive advantage through mainstream exposure and professional facilities, but that advantage proves insufficient when wrestlers can generate superior income independently.
For aspiring wrestlers evaluating their career paths, Kelly’s experience offers crucial perspective: WWE employment doesn’t guarantee financial security, particularly at the developmental level. The independent wrestling circuit, while lacking WWE’s prestige and exposure, can provide more reliable income for wrestlers willing to work multiple promotions and build their own brands.
As the professional wrestling landscape continues evolving, fundamental questions about fair compensation, talent retention, and career sustainability remain unresolved. Until WWE meaningfully adjusts its developmental salary structure, performers like Priscilla Kelly will likely continue leveraging independent opportunities as their primary income source.