A newly released SEC filing has shed light on the financial details behind The Rock’s return to WWE and his role on the TKO Board of Directors — and the numbers are eyebrow-raising.
Dwayne Johnson joined the TKO board in January 2024 and entered into what was labeled a “DJ Services Agreement” with WWE.
The agreement outlined promotional obligations, intellectual property arrangements, and equity compensation tied to his services.
SEC Filing Details The Rock’s TKO Shares, Royalties and Travel Expenses
According to TKO’s annual report filed with the SEC, Johnson received equity-based compensation totaling $21.7 million across 2024 and 2025. The company recognized $17.7 million in stock compensation in 2024 and $4 million in 2025 as part of a broader $30 million RSU award.
In addition to stock compensation, Johnson earned $0.9 million in royalties in each of the two years, bringing his combined royalty earnings to $1.8 million. WWE also reimbursed travel expenses tied to his services, totaling $2.6 million in 2024 and $0.6 million in 2025.
The filing also detailed WWE’s assignment of “The Rock” trademark and related intellectual property to Johnson via one of his affiliates. Under the agreement, Johnson licensed that IP back to WWE for use in licensed wrestling products for up to 10 years.
While The Rock has not appeared on WWE programming since Elimination Chamber 2025, his business ties to TKO remain firmly in place. His appointment to the board marked a major shift from in-ring icon to corporate stakeholder — proving he’s not just laying the smackdown, he’s reading the fine print.
As WWE builds toward WrestleMania 42, Johnson’s on-screen future remains unclear. However, behind the scenes, the numbers confirm that The Final Boss is still very much part of the company’s long-term plans.
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