WWE announcers Received “Hazard Pay” for On-Screen Physicality
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Todd Grisham, a former WWE announcer, recently disclosed a surprising perk of teh job: financial compensation for getting physically involved in on-screen action. He explained that announcers were eligible for “hazard pay” if they experienced any physicality during a segment, a detail that sounds almost astonishing in retrospect.
The Slap That Paid $500
Grisham recounted a especially memorable incident involving wrestler Mickie james. “So I remember one time Mickie James slapped me. that was the worst thing ever,” he said. He jokingly added that he’d prefer “20 AAs before a slap,” referencing weightlifting, as announcers weren’t expected to convincingly “sell” a slap like trained wrestlers.
According to Grisham, James delivered the slap with considerable force. “She hit me right here. As hard as she could. I get slapped, and I’m like [groans],” he recalled. Despite the discomfort, the immediate financial reward was a definite luminous spot.
“But, the hazard pay, so after she slapped me, they give you 500 bucks,” Grisham explained. “Literally, they’d be like, and cut. Nice job, Todd. And someone walked over and goes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, here you go. Cash.”
A Willing Participant?
Grisham admitted the offer was tempting enough to consider repeating the experience. “So I’m like,beat the hell out of me. You want me to go in the ring and let her slap me again?” However, not all announcers shared his enthusiasm.He recalled that Max Brettos, whom he believed was the shortest-tenured employee at the time, declined the chance. “He was like, No, I don’t really want to do that. I was like, I’ll do it, okay, that’s how it went. I was like, yeah, and you’re gonna pay me 500 bucks?”
- Announcers received $500 for experiencing physicality on-screen.
- Mickie James slapped Todd Grisham, resulting in the $500 payout.
- Not all announcers were willing to risk further physical contact for the payout.
