WWE made a controversial move last year when it dictated to its employees that they couldn't continue to generate revenue through third-party avenues. Whether it be recording messages on Cameo or streaming on Twitch, WWE put a stop to it. That prompted a lot of talk about how those who work for WWE should be classed. Are they employees or are they independent contractors?

Zelina Vega's Twitch Revenue

While still not confirmed by either party, it's believed the reason behind Zelina Vega's release in 2020 was due to the sudden policy change by WWE. There were rumors shortly after that Vega was earning more through streaming on Twitch than she was in WWE, hence her allegedly fighting back against WWE's demand to stop her from generating revenue through a third party.

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Figures leaked via a Twitch hack earlier this year, and shared by Wrestling Observer Newsletter, suggest that might well have been the case. Vega earned $341,748 through her work on Twitch between September 2019 and September 2021. The WWE Superstar was the second highest-earning wrestling personality on the platform behind Paige who made a staggering $478,224 during the same two-year period.

Zelina Vega posing Cropped

Adam Cole's Departure Now Makes Even More Sense

Rounding out the top three is Adam Cole who made $318,080 during that same timeframe. Probably not more than he made under the WWE banner during that time, but considering he was in NXT for his whole run, maybe closer than you might think. It also explains why he opted not to renew his contract. That's a lot of money to lose even if he were to receive a pay bump via a new deal. Odds are he took that pay bump by signing with AEW but is also able to keep that Twitch money too.

There's a steep drop-off in Twitch earnings after Paige, Vega, and Cole. No one else in wrestling earned six figures over the two years leaked, but Xavier Woods, Tyler Breeze, and Evil Uno all made well over $20,000 each. Vega has since re-signed with WWE which may suggest her new deal was worth enough that it makes up for the money she has lost by having to step away from Twitch.