WWE has made headlines in recent weeks for massive roster cuts and reportedly asking some stars to accept pay cuts of up to 50% to remain with the company. But according to Rico Costantino, it was his own asking for a raise that ultimately led to his release from WWE in 2004.
During his time in WWE, Rico was an unlikely superstar in one major regard: He was already 38 years old when he was called up to the main roster. In a business that typically brings talent in at a much younger age, Rico stood
out.
These topics and more were discussed during a recent interview Constantino sat for with Insight with Chris Van Vliet.
Regarding his age, Rico told Van Vliet that the issue never sat well with then-WWE boss Vince McMahon.
“Vince didn’t like me because of my age in the beginning. He was forced to put me there,” Constantino said, adding that he was given a roster spot because he excelled at a tryout camp run by Dory Funk Jr. and Jim Cornette.
When he was brought into WWE, Rico said Vince paired him up with the Billy [Gunn] and Chuck [Palumbo] tag team, but he gave the new star no direction with his gimmick.
“I meet with Vince, and he goes, ‘You’re going to be Billy and Chuck’s stylist,’” Rico said to Van Vliet. “I said, ‘Okay, hair stylist, foot stylist? What kind of stylist?’ He goes, ‘Flesh it out.’ And he turned around and walked away on me.”
Constantino managed to work for McMahon despite their cold interactions. That is, until he asked for a raise.
“I had already fulfilled my three-year rookie contract. I’ve held the tag titles twice,” Rico said. “I was going to almost every show and on TV. I said, ‘I want $1,000 a week.’”
Van Vliet asked what he was making before the request for more money, and Constantino said he was getting the WWE annual minimum of $75,000.
“I wanted a $52,000 [annual] raise on top of the $75 [thousand],” Rico explained. “I thought I was worth it. And Charlie and I and Jackie were about to come out on the SmackDown magazine front cover, and he [Vince] told me I wasn’t popular.”
According to Rico, he was let go due to his request without even the option of resigning at the same amount he was already making. Though his last appearance was in late 2024, his contract wasn’t officially up until February 2005.
While McMahon thought Constantino was too old for the ring more twenty years ago, Rico – who made a recent appearance for AEW – said that he’d still consider wrestling now at the age of 64.
“Maybe, you know, if somebody wants me to make a special appearance, I’ll get right back into ring shape,” Constantino said.
What do you think, Cagesiders? Do you think Vince was wrong to let Rico go for requesting a bump in pay? Would you like to see Rico make a comeback now? Let us know in the comments.
