Backstage Reaction To Vince McMahon's WWE Retirement Revealed

How WWE has reacted to news of Vince McMahon retiring at 77.

By Andy H Murray /

WWE.com

Vince McMahon announced his retirement as WWE Chairman and CEO this evening, drawing a curtain on 40 years as the company's figurehead after taking it on from his father, Vince Sr., in 1982.

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It's a seismic development - and one that has understandably sent the wrestling world into a tailspin.

Internally, an "all hands on deck" meeting is on the cards.

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This is according to Fightful Select, who report that a company-wide Zoom meeting was due to commence at 5 PM EST. WWE had broken the news of Vince's retirement to its personnel via email earlier today, though one talent told the outlet they'd believe it once Vince stops appearing at shows. Another, meanwhile, quipped that they had expected Vince to be at WWE's helm until his death.

McMahon stated in his official WWE statement that he would remain the company's majority shareholder. Whether or not he was relinquishing his grip on creative wasn't clear, but Fightful's sources have stated that this is the case. McMahon is no longer head of creative.

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As confirmed via Vince's statement, Chairwoman Stephanie McMahon and President Nick Khan are due to operate WWE as co-CEOs going forward.