Vince McMahon Steps Down As WWE CEO - Stephanie McMahon Named Interim CEO & Chairwoman
Huge power shift within WWE as board of directors continues to investigate misconduct allegations.
Vince McMahon has sensationally stepped down as WWE CEO.
Stephanie McMahon has been named Interim CEO and Chairwoman of the company as the WWE's board of directors continue their investigations into misconduct allegations that were reported by the Wall Street Journal this week.
In statements released via WWE Corporate, the company announced the following;
Stamford, Conn. – WWE (NYSE: WWE) and the Board of Directors today announced that a Special Committee of the Board is conducting an investigation into alleged misconduct by its Chairman and CEO Vincent McMahon and John Laurinaitis, head of talent relations, and that, effective immediately, McMahon has voluntarily stepped back from his responsibilities as CEO and Chairman of the Board until the conclusion of the investigation. McMahon will retain his role and responsibilities related to WWE’s creative content during this period and remains committed to cooperating with the review underway.
On accepting the role and the ongoing investigations, Stephanie said (h/t SEScoops);
“I love this company and am committed to working with the Independent Directors to strengthen our culture and our Company; it is extremely important to me that we have a safe and collaborative workplace. I have committed to doing everything in my power to help the Special Committee complete its work, including marshalling the cooperation of the entire company to assist in the completion of the investigation and to implement its findings”
Vince McMahon himself added;
“I have pledged my complete cooperation to the investigation by the Special Committee, and I will do everything possible to support the investigation. I have also pledged to accept the findings and outcome of the investigation, whatever they are”
As noted in the official statement, McMahon will remain directly related to WWE’s creative content, which perhaps explains murmurings following the news that tonight's SmackDown would be "business as usual".