As noted before, WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon announced on Twitter on Thursday that she was taking a leave of absence from the majority of her work responsibilities in the company.
Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that the general reaction within the company over McMahon’s announcement was one of surprise. Most of WWE’s talent, office staff, and creative team reportedly were not aware about McMahon’s decision until after her public announcement on social media.
Meltzer reported that several people spoken to who had been informed ahead of time and knew of her background situation stated that there is more to her departure but the basic reasons given were not inaccurate. Those same sources also stated that McMahon wanting to focus more on her family was a definitive part towards her decision to take a break from the company.
In regards to a potential return date, Meltzer reported that WWE officials currently do not have any timetable in mind for her return but are under the belief that she will be returning back to the company at some time in the future.
Those spoken to stated that McMahon’s decision was 100 percent her choice and was something that had been coming for some time and not as an abrupt decision on her end.
Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported that his sources stated that WWE President Nick Khan will be taking over most of McMahon’s duties while she is away from the company. Thurston also reported that several of WWE’s business partners have already been informed of this change within the company’s management.
In an interesting note, David Bixenspan reported on Twitter that McMahon recently removed all references to WWE from her work history on her LinkedIn page.