WWE Studios President Leaves Company

Internal power struggle leads to Michael Luisi's departure.

The Marine 5 Cast
WWE.com

The Wrestling Observer are reporting (via Hollywood news site Deadline) that WWE Studios President Michael Luisi has left his position with the company following an internal power struggle.

Luisi is said to have clashed with Michelle Wilson, herself a powerful figure in WWE; as co-president of the organisation, alongside George Barrios, Wilson was not someone to trifle with, and it's understood that she will replace Luisi as President of the film division in the interim.

Since joining WWE Studios from New Line Cinema in 2011, Luisi has overseen projects including 'The Marine' series, 'The Call' (starring Halle Berry) and the Paige biopic 'Fighting With My Family'. Further, he has worked extensively to build a relationship between WWE and Warner Bros, overseeing projects linked to Scooby Doo, The Jetsons and The Flintstones.

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Luisi was busy working on upcoming releases like 'The Buddy Games', and also had a hand in production for 'Pandemonium', which is set to be a biopic about the early years of Vince McMahon's life.

Deadline say WWE will look to replace Luisi long term, and also claim Timothy Schmidt will continue his role as Business Affairs Executive alongside Wilson.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.