5 things you didn't know about a WWE contract

For almost every wrestler on the indie scene, their dream is to be presented with a WWE contract.

In just a few sheets of paper and a couple thousand words, a person's life can change their entire life, as they go from earning money in smaller promotions, to joining the biggest sports entertainment company in the world.

But signing with the WWE can often be a complicated procedure, as these lucrative contracts don't come easy, and they're full of tiny points that may often be overlooked by the company's latest signee.

These contracts have led to plenty of arguments backstage, and even several wrestlers leaving the company for freer pastures.

And whilst most of us will never get to see a WWE contract in person, there have been plenty of things leaked and revealed about the exclusive paperwork.

Here are five things you (probably) didn't know about a WWE contract.

#5 WWE choose your name and gimmick

Both Ambrose and Rollins got new names upon joining the company.

Growing up as wrestling fans, we will all at some point thought about what our name and character would be, once we finally made it big.

But according to the WWE contract, it is the company that decides these things, not you.

Whilst a wrestler is allowed some creative input, it is the WWE's choice, with stars like Terry Bollea becoming Hulk Hogan, Dwayne Johnson becoming Rocky Maivia and Paul Levesque becoming Triple H.

With the influx of independent signings over the past five years, many Superstars have been allowed to keep their old names to help gain notoriety, with huge Impact stars such as AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and Eric Young all using their old names.

However, some were not so lucky, with ROH's Tyler Black becoming Seth Rollins, and CZW's Jon Moxley becoming Dean Ambrose.

#4 WWE owns the rights to your content

The WWE Network has allowed for content to be streamed every second.

When you sign to join with the WWE, you also sign over your image.

In the contract, there are several clauses which say how the WWE have permission to use your image for whatever they may need it for, which can range from appearing on WWE TV, to promotional images to help represent the company.

And when the WWE Network launched in early 2014, this clause was extended, as rather than certain hours of the week, the company now has endless content steaming, which all wrestlers will have had to agree to let their image be shown.

Despite the Network launching just a few years ago, it's clear that this content clause has been in place for a while, as thousands of former Superstars are shown on the Network every day.

#3 You pay for your own costumes and props

Batista and his very cold arms.

This one seems backwards when you think about it.

Whilst the latest WWE Superstar cannot truly decide what their gimmick and name will be, it is up to them to pay for the props and costumes to make it work.

A fun story about this comes from way back in 2002, with WWE's resident Animal and Guardian of the Galaxy: Batista.

In his book, the former World Champion said that shortly before debuting as the Deacon of Reverend D-Von Dudley, he treated himself to a $5,000 suit, hoping to make a good first impression.

After showing the company the very expensive attire, they instantly ripped the sleeves off, much to the horror of the Animal.

Batista joked how he would've rather burned the $5,000 if he'd known they were going to do that, at least then he'd be warm.

#2 The WWE can sell your merch after release

It pays to wait on WWEShop.

It's never a good feeling to be fired from any job, but at least if you lose a job at a McDonald's or a Wendy's, you don't see your former employer sell your fries dirt cheap the next day.

But according to the WWE contract, the company has the right to sell all your merchandise for 90 days after you officially part ways.

This is why you'll see shirts that used to cost $24.99 go down to under five bucks, as the company hopes to make money back from their investment in your look.

Not just shirts though, this clause also applies to anything with your face on, including posters, action figures and a whole manner of goodies available on WWEShop.com.

So the next time you want some cheap WWE merch, check the clearance section, it's only a bit out of date.

#1 Termination details

Vince McMahon is no stranger to firing Superstars on TV or behind the camera.

This isn't about how to deal with Arnold Schwarzenegger (who don't forget, is a WWE Hall of Famer), but instead outlines what it is like to lose your job with the WWE.

The first part of the section says a Superstar must be given a heads-up about their impending release, with standard stars usually knowing 90 days in advance.

However, more established stars are given longer than that to prepare for the end, with Universal Champion Brock Lesnar having it in his contract that should the company dare to remove him, he must be notified six months ahead of time.

The second part covers what will happen to a Superstar's family if a wrestler loses the job due to dying in the ring, and the third part covers the rights to sell merchandise post-release.