WCW Grapplers Say, "Show Me The Money!"

Several key WCW wrestlers have contracts that expire in early 1999. It is decision time for World Championship Wrestling President Eric Bischoff. WCW's top priority is to re-sign Scott Steiner, Rick Steiner, The Giant, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko, and Chris Benoit.

The Giant, only 27 years of age, whose contract is said to expire on February 9, 1999, is likely to jump ship to the WWF. He has been telling other wrestlers that he has a $1 million offer (per year) from McMahon. The Giant is currently making $400,000 a year. WCW has offered The Giant a new offer that would earn him $850,000, $950,000, and $1,000,000 each of the next three years.

The Steiner brothers will see their WCW contracts expire at the end of the month. There is talk that McMahon is interested in signing "Big Papa Pump." Both Scott and Rick Steiner are currently making $315,000 a year in WCW, and are being offered a $500,000 per three-year deal. Neither brother is expected to make the jump, in fact, Rick and Bischoff recently went on a hunting trip together.

Television champion, Chris Jericho, is signed through July 27, 1999. WCW is paying “Lion Heart" $225,000 per year, and has a three year contract on the table. If he re-signs, his new will pay him $450,000 per year.

Rey Misterio, Jr.’s contract also expires in July of next year. Rey, who turns 24 in a few weeks, is said to be unhappy in WCW, and may consider a contract offer to move north.

Eric Bischoff is giving Eddie Guerrero, 31, time to re-sign, considering that Guerrero is receiving a decent push. His contract expires on January 1, 1999. He is currently making $250,000 a year and WCW is preparing a deal worth $450,000 for the next three years.

Bischoff has told Chris Beniot and Dean Malenko to sign now, or they will be buried in their storylines. Both are making $250,000 a year and their contracts expire on December 31, 1999. WCW will offer them a $450,000 Three-year deal. Paul Heyman wants "the Crippler" to rejoin his promotion. The ECW boss has offered to buy Beniot out of his WCW contract, an offer that Bischoff laughed at.

Mark Madden speculated on the WCW hotline last week that Chris Beniot, 31, and Chris Jericho are likely to not re-sign with the organization.

Randy Savage's WCW contract is said to end on January 24, 1999. Savage will have a new valet, who is his girlfriend now. We'll see her when he returns.

The key to the WWF landing any of these WCW stars is the on going negotiations with Triple H. His contract expires in late 1999, and McMahon needs to make sure he does not slip away.

According Dave Meltzer, Ken Shamrock and Jeff Jarrett’s WWF contract also expire in 1999.

According to Dave Meltzer, the WCW payroll is currently $36 million. The major moneymakers include Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. The duo will earn $1.1 million in 1998 and 1999, $1.45 million in 2000, and $1.625 in 2001. Bret Hart makes over $2,000,000 a year, while “Hollywood” Hogan makes over $3,000,000 a year. Sting makes over a million with his new contract, and Diamond Dallas Page makes almost a million a year on his new three- year contract.

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