WWE Officials Furious Over Gigi Dolin’s NXT Salary Remarks

Priscilla Kelly — known to WWE fans as Gigi Dolin — kicked off a firestorm after addressing how much new NXT talent actually makes. Her comments were already creating friction online, but now there’s an update: people inside WWE are apparently not happy she said any of it.

Kelly originally explained that some NXT contracts can be as low as $30,000 a year, which quickly turned into fans accusing her of complaining. She pushed back hard, clarifying on Twitter that she wasn’t criticizing WWE, she wasn’t whining, and she wasn’t downplaying the opportunity — she was explaining the reality of starting out in the business. She addressed the backlash directly and made it clear people twisted her words:

“Let me just clarify, never did I say that there was anything wrong with this salary nor was I ‘complaining about it,’ especially considering this is starting out. When I started wrestling, I was lucky to get $20 after driving all night just to get a spot on a show. I was simply making a point that contracts and salaries can vary greatly depending on where and who you are, and with TV/living expenses it can be tough. A lot of you have took this and made it into something it’s not.”

Her original interview pushed back on the fantasy that every WWE performer is instantly wealthy, pointing out that NXT salaries vary wildly depending on the deal:

“The common misconception about, especially NXT performers is that we’re millionaires, right? 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. You’ve got it made. That’s not the case. In NXT, there’s contracts as low as $30,000 a year.”

But now the real drama sits behind the curtain. While speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez delivered an update that makes things even more interesting. According to Alvarez, Kelly’s comments didn’t just spark conversation — they sparked internal frustration inside WWE. He explained how her remarks were being viewed, and why some people backstage weren’t thrilled:

“There was that interview with… I forget who did the interview. It was late at night. Anyway, she was talking about how people overestimate how much everybody makes in NXT.”

Alvarez then addressed the part that reportedly really irritated WWE officials — the $30,000 number being attached to NXT contracts:

“She mentioned that like people made as little as $30,000 — and man, people in WWE were not happy with that interview. Because nobody’s making $30,000 in NXT. The NXT deals start at $75,000.”

He continued laying out the actual salary structure, pointing out that big names or former main‑roster talent make more:

“Now if you are a Jordynne Grace or you’re a Ricky Saints or whoever, you’re obviously gonna be making more than that. Ridge Holland was making more because he had a main roster deal and then they cut his deal when he went to NXT, but he was still making more than $75,000.”

Where Kelly’s comments do line up is with WWE’s ID program — a developmental pipeline she originally came through before signing. Those contracts don’t function the same way, and Alvarez clarified that part too:

“The WWE ID talent, nobody is making close to $30,000. They’re making significantly less because essentially the contracts are — we have the right to match any offer.”

“You’re given per diems, money to upgrade your gear, to improve your look, and WWE reserves the right to sign you to a real WWE deal if you get over or get another offer.”

So in short: Kelly was addressing the grind of development-level talent, not full-time contracted NXT stars — but WWE officials still weren’t happy that any number resembling “$30,000” was attached to the brand publicly.

Priscilla Kelly pushed back on fans twisting her words, but the situation is clearly bigger than social media reactions now. Her comments opened a conversation about what life is actually like trying to make it in WWE’s system — and that’s a topic the company doesn’t always love being dragged into public view.

What do you think about WWE being upset over Gigi Dolin’s comments — was she out of line, or just telling the truth about the business? Drop your thoughts below and let us know how you feel about the situation.

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