WWE Creative Shake-Up - Major Names Gone Indefinitely

Two of Paul Levesque's key figures take leave of absence from WWE creative roles.

Triple H WWE SmackDown
WWE.com

WWE creative has received something of an indefinite shake-up as two key members of Paul 'Triple H' Levesque's team have taken leaves of absence from the promotion.

Per the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, Bruce Prichard and Michael Hayes are on "temporary leave" from WWE. Both are expected to return to the company eventually, though there's no word on when, exactly, that may be.

Meltzer writes that Prichard and Hayes' absences are not related. Prichard is taking time off following a family emergency, while Hayes' break is down to personal issues.

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WWE sources have emphasised that this is not a case of "the old guard being moved out." Despite speculation to the contrary, both Hayes and Prichard are expected to return.

Fightful Select, in a follow-up report, reaffirmed that neither absence has anything to do with former WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, currently the subject of numerous lawsuits - including Janel Grant's sex trafficking case. The outlet adds that Hayes has not been backstage in WWE for several weeks.

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Prichard, 61, has been in and out of WWE in various roles since 1987, while Hayes joined the market-leading promotion upon retiring as a full-time wrestler in 1995.

Michael Hayes & Bruce Prichard Take Indefinite WWE Break

Bruce Prichard Michael Hayes
WWE

Michael Hayes and Bruce Prichard's WWE absences leave Paul 'Triple H' Levesque without two key figures in the creative process.

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As WWE's Executive Director, Prichard sits below Levesque (the company's Chief Content Officer and creative lead), but above the writing team in the hierarchy. A chief Vince McMahon lieutenant during the disgraced former Chairman's tenure, Prichard has retained a high degree of sway under the new, Endeavor-led regime.

Hayes, meanwhile, plays a major role in producing the Bloodline's matches and segments. The former Fabulous Freebird has been associated with the Anoa'i family since the 1970s and works closely with Paul Heyman, who himself is heavily involved in Roman Reigns' booking. At Crown Jewel 2024 - where Reigns and the Usos faced Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga - James Gibson assumed Hayes' usual role as the Bloodline's road agent.

The Bloodline remains WWE's most important long-term storyline after almost four years. But while Hayes' absence means the matches might be agented differently, the overall creative direction will likely remain unchanged while Heyman's hand is at the wheel.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.