On January 10th Stephanie McMahon announced that she was leaving WWE.
The now former co-CEO had worked for the company in some fashion since she was a teenager. Even when McMahon took a leave of absence in 2022, she retained her seat on the Board of Directors. However, on this occasion, she has left the company altogether.
Her departure comes after Vince McMahon returned to the Board and declared his intention to help sell WWE. After Stephanie confirmed her departure, it was announced that Vince had been elected Executive Chairman.
Stephanie McMahon’s leave of absence in 2022 was cut short by the sexual misconduct allegations that engulfed her father. In the chaos Stephanie returned to the company and was named interim Chairwoman before being given the job full-time following Vince’s retirement in July.
Stephanie McMahon Exit Not Good For WWE
During an appearance on the Bill Simmons podcast, Ariel Helwani discussed what it was like attending a WWE show after Vince had left.
“It was like these clouds had opened up,” Helwani recalled. “Everyone’s spirits are high, no one says a bad thing about Stephanie. It’s a remarkable thing, nobody speaks badly of her. Everyone seems to respect her tremendously.”
Helwani added that with Stephanie now gone he’s concerned that the culture within WWE could revert back to when Vince was previously in charge. He and Simmons agreed that it was a “bad sign” that Stephanie had left the company.
“She’s so likable and respected,” Helwani complimented. “She is the quintessential businesswoman.” When speculating what might be next for Stephanie, Helwani believes that she has the potential to do more if she desires to. “If she decides to do something… imagine a media company run by [Stephanie]. I feel like she’d be successful in whatever she does.”
Despite Vince McMahon stating that he was only back with WWE to facilitate a sale, it has been reported that he is speaking with Triple H regarding creative and could even return to television.
H/t to Wrestling Inc