Scarlett Bordeaux and Karrion Kross Claim They’re Making More Money on the Indies Than in WWE

Scarlett Bordeaux and Karrion Kross want wrestlers stressing over releases to take a deep breath—because the indie scene might actually be the better payday.

The former WWE duo recently appeared on Behind The Turnbuckle Studios with Jonathan Coachman, where they opened up about life after WWE and the financial reality of working independently. According to Scarlett, they’re doing better now than when they were under contract with WWE. She admitted that might sound far-fetched, but the numbers speak for themselves.

“This sounds crazy and probably not very believable, but it’s something I feel like the people in WWE right now who might be stressed out, [thinking] am I, you know, going to get released? Like, they might want to hear this — we are making more than we were making there,” Scarlett said.

She mentioned that it wasn’t because WWE paid poorly, but because the indie grind—when done right—can pay off big.

“And we were getting paid very well, but we are making more now weekly on the shows we’re doing than we were at WWE. And WWE pays great, but it can be done if you hustle. So, if anyone right now in any company has fear that you’re going to get released, what am I going to do? Work hard. You know, keep your social media going. Like, you’re going to be fine.”

Scarlett made it clear that social media has become one of the biggest income boosters, with platforms like Instagram and X/Twitter creating major money-making opportunities for wrestlers who know how to build a brand. Kross joined in to lay out a full breakdown of how they’re cashing in without the machine of WWE or AEW behind them.

“You have the shows, you have independent merchandising, you have toys, there’s independent video games being developed that a lot of people don’t know about. They’re looking for unsigned talent. There’s the conventions.”

He added that the secret isn’t just the bookings—it’s treating wrestling like a full business outside the ring.

“Your income will not solely come from the independent shows per se, but being an independent contractor and you’re not under the umbrella of somewhere, you have a whole world wide open.”

The couple also shared that they’ve taken their hustle international, hitting multiple countries, building relationships, and expanding their reach far beyond what they had in WWE. For anyone worried about being released or left behind by major companies, Scarlett and Kross are proof that being unsigned doesn’t mean being broke.

Scarlett Bordeaux and Karrion Kross are showing everyone that you don’t need WWE to be financially secure—you just need to know how to hustle and build your brand like a business.