WWE have officially announced Kevin Dunn’s replacement.
As announced via press release on January 9th, Lee Fitting will serve as the new Head Of Media and Production for the company moving forward. Fitting had previously worked for ESPN for more than 25 years before departing in August 2023.
The press release is as follows:
STAMFORD, Conn., January 9, 2024 – WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), today announced that media industry veteran Lee Fitting has joined the company this week as Head of Media & Production.
“Lee is a phenomenal leader and executive known for work that generates both critical acclaim and mass appeal,” said WWE President Nick Khan. “Lee will be a tremendous addition to our stellar media and production team and play a key role in helping catapult WWE’s growth.”
Fitting brings more than two decades of production experience to WWE from ESPN, where he oversaw production for tentpole properties including Monday Night Football, College GameDay, the College Football Playoff, and many other properties within the Disney portfolio.
Distributed in 25 languages across 165 countries, WWE delivers new and live programming to fans 52 weeks a year. Its flagship shows, including Monday Night Raw, Friday Night SmackDown and NXT; Premium Live Events including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and Royal Rumble; and award-winning slate of original programs reach more than one billion homes globally.
The announcement comes following the recent resignation of Dunn, who had served with the company for more than 40 years. WWE President Nick Khan informed employees of Dunn’s departure in a company-wide email on New Year’s Day.
In an update by PWInsider following the announcement, the backstage reaction has been revealed. It is stated that some are not happy that an “outsider” has been brought in for the role, with the additional concern that Fitting may bring in people and force out those already in prominent positions. Additionally, some felt that the role should have been designated via internal promotion with Executive Vice President of Television Chris Kaiser and their lighting and set director Jason Robinson cited as credible candidates.
It is also noted that not everyone feels this is a negative move, with others having a wait-and-see approach before worrying about what might happen in the future.
Why Did Kevin Dunn Leave WWE?
Following the acquisition of the promotion in April 2023, Endeavor has gradually made changes to the corporate structure, including Vince McMahon being removed from all creative aspects and Triple H being given full control of weekly TV. Dunn was closely linked to McMahon while with the company and has gone on record that he would not work for anyone else other than McMahon.
In regards to Dunn’s recent departure, the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter states that it was Dunn who made the decision to depart the company:
It was Dunn’s decision to leave, which one source said dated back about two months when Endeavor started wanting to make budget cuts to improve profitability in the department and started making decisions on the production side without relying on his opinions. Dunn had been basically autonomous in his position for decades, only having to answer to Vince McMahon. With McMahon out of power many did feel this was inevitable.
It was also stated that Kevin Dunn’s relationship with the company was “getting uglier” as his final day with the company drew nearer.