WWE News: Randy Orton Contract Update, Tyson Fury Salary for Crown Jewel
Randy Orton has been very busy teasing a potential jump to AEW on social media this week. On Tuesday, Orton posted a image of himself next to a sign saying “Elite” with the words “tick tock tick tock” underneath it. Orton tagged fellow WWE superstars the Revival, Luke Harper and Elias along with NXT wrestler Riddick Moss and AEW stars Cody Rhodes and Chris Jericho in the post. The Revival and Luke Harper have both been rumored to be interested in AEW in the past.
The speculation was further fueled by Revival member Scott Dawson Tweeting out a photo of the Revival and Randy Orton together with the caption “What SHOULD’VE been!” Dawson’s partner Dash Wilder responded to this Tweet by Tweeting “What WILL Be…Eventually.” Orton himself responded to all this with a Tweet that simply said “2020”. Orton and The Revival were working together on Smackdown for several months and they had great chemistry, but now that is over because Orton’s on Raw while The Revival are on Smackdown as the SD Tag Team Champions.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Orton’s contract is set to expire in 2020. Meltzer goes on to speculate that Orton, who is reported to be making around $3 million dollars a year already, may be trying to play WWE and AEW against each other in the hopes of a larger contract and easier work schedule. Orton and Cody Rhodes (one of AEW’s Executive VP’s) have a history that goes back to when they were a part of the Legacy faction. Meltzer goes on to speculate that Orton, at the age of 39, may be looking to go work somewhere where he will have a bigger role in the company to cement his legacy.
https://twitter.com/dashwilderwwe/status/1187535240086073347?s=21
— Randy Orton (@RandyOrton) October 25, 2019
Also in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer commented on the reports from earlier in the week by the BBC that Tyson Fury will be making $15 million dollars for his match at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, against Braun Strowman. According to Meltzer, that report is “total bullshit” with Fury being paid a few million dollars for the match.
Crown Jewel will take place on October 31st at 1PMET from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Matt’s Musings: I have no doubt that the WWE cannot be very happy with Orton’s actions on social media lately. Orton is at such a high level with his career right now that he can get away with it. Whoever signs Orton to his next contract in 2020 is most likely going to have to pay a large sum of money to do so.
As for the Tyson Fury story, it is a good reminder not to believe everything you read on the internet. Always try to just look at reputable sites like the one you are reading right now.