In Hogan's case, his salary was spread across different divisions of the Turner empire, specifically Turner Home Entertainment. So, whatever his salary is listed as is likely less than what he actually made.
As for DDP, I'm pretty certain he was still under his original contract, as his next deal didn't start until early '99. And his growth in pay in '98 seems to coincide with his push, increase in appearances and merchandising that, apparently, was significant enough to secure him three times as much when he re-signed.
There are a few things that I question:
1- Renegade - Worked with WCW from 1995 to 1998, and yet he only earned money the final year? It nary impossible that he worked for free for three years, so I wonder if his salary was covered by a different section of the Turner empire
2 - Hogan - The 1996 situation does not make sense. Much of his original contract was tied to PPV appearances, and although those were down in the first half of the year I still find it hard to believe that he made less than Nash or Hall in their first years with with company.
For a better outlay of Hogan's 1998 contract, check this out:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/287131780/1998-Hulk-Hogan-contract-with-WCW
1. Likely yes, as that tended to be the case with bigger contracts.
2. It kind of makes sense.
Hogan had two different contracts in '96, as he signed a new deal in October '96. And those terms were likely much different. Plus, his salary was placed in other divisions, as it was never a set figure, aside from a signing bonus. So, depending on what those terms were, it kind of makes sense but even then, likely is only half the story.
Wow, Nash talks a lot about all the money he's made in the business, but he doesn't even crack the top five on this list. He's nowhere near Hogan money.
That's not to say he didn't make a ton of money.
Nash takes pride in the fact that he was making more than he made in the WWF, while not having to work nearly as much. Plus, it was guaranteed.
Long story short, I'm under the belief that some of these salaries are only scratching the surface, as WCW kept certain salaries off their books, particularly the larger ones (case in point: when Vince bought the company and certain contracts weren't included in the acquisition).