Jim Johnston Reveals He Was on Handshake Deal with WWE for Several Years

Jim Johnston is a legendary composer for WWE who worked with the company for more than three decades and was responsible for single-handedly making numerous iconic theme songs that fans still love even now. Interestingly enough, he has now revealed that he was on a handshake deal with WWE for several years.

Jim Johnston was fired by WWE back in 2017 and it was ultimately Vince McMahon’s decision but Johnston had made it abundantly clear he was not really surprised by McMahon firing him.

While speaking in an interview with Hannibal TV, Jim Johnston revealed that he worked for WWE for years based on a handshake deal with Vince McMahon, without any written contract. It started when Vince loved one of the videos Johnston created. Vince asked him what else he could do, and Johnston confidently said he could do anything Vince needed, which led to more responsibilities and eventually a full-time role.

Johnston appreciated that Vince always treated him well and honored their informal agreement. However, once WWE became a public company, lawyers stepped in, saying they needed an official contract to make sure he wouldn’t leave for another offer. After that, things became more formal and business-focused, as often happens when companies go public.

“Vince loved the video and the music. He and I were chatting, and he asked, ‘What else do you do?’ I probably stretched the truth and said, ‘Oh, anything—you name it, I do it.’ So, he asked me to handle a few more things, and I did, and soon enough, it quickly became a 24/7 role.

One thing I always appreciated was that Vince and I operated on a handshake agreement. For years, nothing was on paper; he always treated me well and honorably. But when the company went public, everything changed. The lawyers stepped in, saying, ‘We can’t have such an essential person without a contract; what if he leaves for a better offer?’ So, after that, it became all business—as it often does when companies go public.”

Jim Johnston also criticized the music in modern-day professional wrestling for sounding the same. Regardless, Johnston has long moved on from his time in WWE and perhaps that is for his best, as some fans still feel he should return to WWE someday.

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Did you ever expect Jim Johnston to work without a proper contract with WWE for so long? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.