WWE issued the following statement today:
WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced that effective immediately, Paul Levesque will resume his executive position as EVP, Talent Relations. “I look forward to returning to my prior position as head of Talent Relations. I’m healthy, fired up, and ready to take charge,” said Levesque.
Levesque originally took the position as EVP of Talent Relations back in 2011 before being promoted in 2013 and eventually becoming EVP of Global Talent Strategy & Development. He was also the head executive and creative mind behind NXT but was forced to step away after suffering a cardiac event in 2021 that was later found to be a genetic heart condition.
As a result, he was forced to announce his retirement from the in-ring competition by leaving his boots in the ring at WrestleMania 38. Paul Levesque will resume his executive position as Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, replacing John Laurinaitis, involved in Vince McMahon’s “hush money” payments allegations.
At 77, time for me to retire.
Thank you, WWE Universe.
Then. Now. Forever. Together. #WWE #thankful— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) July 22, 2022
Also, Vince McMahon today released the following statement:
“As I approach 77 years old, I feel it’s time for me to retire as Chairman and CEO of WWE. Throughout the years, it’s been a privilege to help WWE bring you joy, inspire you, thrill you, surprise you, and always entertain you. I would like to thank my family for mightily contributing to our success, and I would also like to thank all of our past and present Superstars and employees for their dedication and passion for our brand. Most importantly, I would like to thank our fans for allowing us into your homes every week and being your choice of entertainment. I hold the deepest appreciation and admiration for our generations of fans all over the world who have liked, currently like, and sometimes even love our form of Sports Entertainment.
“Our global audience can take comfort in knowing WWE will continue to entertain you with the same fervour, dedication, and passion as always. I am extremely confident in the continued success of WWE, and I leave our company in the capable hands of an extraordinary group of Superstars, employees, and executives – in particular, both Chairwoman and Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and Co-CEO Nick Khan. As the majority shareholder, I will continue to support WWE in any way I can. My personal thanks to our community and business partners, shareholders, and Board of Directors for their guidance and support through the years. Then. Now. Forever. Together.”
The 76-year-old executive had recently stepped away from his corporate duties in the wake of an investigation into a series of hush money payments, allegedly made by the former chairman and CEO to former female employees to silence their potential accusations of harassment, misconduct, and abuse against both McMahon and former Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis.
While his daughter Stephanie stepped in as Interim Chairwoman and CEO, McMahon had been retaining creative control of the company during the investigation, something that is over now. Stephanie McMahon becomes ChairWoman of WWE but also co-CEO of the company while Nick Khan is now President and co-CEO of WWE. No word yet on who will be supervising the Creative aspect of the WWE programs.
Pic courtesy of WWE