The landscape of WWE corporate structure has gone through yet another shakeup as reports have surfaced of a new series of layoffs within the company’s office staff. This development follows a significant reduction in personnel that took place in September, consequent to WWE’s business realignment.
According to Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics, sources within the organization have disclosed that layoffs occurred earlier today at the WWE corporate office. The exact number of employees affected by this latest cutback has not been disclosed at the time of this report. Thurston’s tweet on December 1, 2023, shed light on the situation, raising discussions about the steady transformation happening behind the scenes at WWE.
The confirmation of these job reductions was echoed by both Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and Mike Johnson of PWInsider. Both journalists, known for their credibility within wrestling journalism, corroborated Thurston’s initial report. However, they have not provided further details concerning the specifics of the layoffs, including which departments were impacted within the WWE corporate structure.
In tandem with the corporate office layoffs, it appears the talent roster has not been immune to the company’s restructuring. McKenzie Mitchell, a backstage interviewer for NXT, took to Twitter to share the news of her own release from the WWE. “Today I was released by WWE,” she tweeted. Mitchell outlined her journey and positive attitude, looking forward to the next opportunity following her departure. While the timing seems adjacent, it remains unconfirmed if Mitchell’s release is directly connected to the recent corporate layoffs.
Adding to the list of talent departures, Fightful Select revealed that NXT developmental talents Alexis Lete, Alivia Ash, and Ghi Eburneo have also been released. The professional futures of these up-and-coming wrestlers are now uncertain. As with Mitchell’s case, it is currently unclear whether their releases are a part of the previous wave of talent let go in September or a newer round of cuts.
The wrestling community is now left to ponder the implications of these layoffs on both the corporate and creative directions of WWE. Changes in personnel often signal shifts in business strategies or operational tactics, and fans will be closely watching how these adjustments play out in the promotion’s output.
For those within the industry, today’s news serves as a stark reminder of the ever-changing and often unpredictable nature of the wrestling business. As WWE continues to evolve, one can only hope that those affected by these changes will find new avenues to showcase their talents and contributions to the sport.
WWE has not yet released a formal statement regarding the layoffs or the future direction that prompted them. We will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as more information becomes available. Our thoughts go out to all the employees and talents who are navigating through these transitions.
