Shane McMahon Leaving WWE
Resignation comes after his mother stepped down as WWE CEO in September
By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/16/2009 2:51:27 PM
Shane McMahon, executive VP of global media for World Wrestling Entertainment, is resigning at the end of the year, the company said Friday.
Shane is the son of WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and has worked at the family-owned business for most of his entire professional career, including playing an exaggerated version of himself on the company’s television programs.
"It has been an incredible experience to help build WWE into a global phenomenon,” McMahon said, in a statement announcing his departure. “However, having been associated with this organization for the majority of my life, I feel this is the opportune time in my career to pursue outside ventures."
"Even though I am personally saddened by Shane’s decision to leave the company, I am proud of the enormous contributions he has made,” said Vince McMahon. “He will unquestionably bring passion, commitment and extensive business experience to any endeavor he pursues."
Shane is the second member of the McMahon family to leave the company in recent months. Shane’s mother, Linda McMahon, stepped down as WWE CEO in September to make a bid for the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.).
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David could not be more on target. WWE better "get it" real soon, because TNA might "get it" sooner. Laugh all you want, but this is exactly the same problem WWE had in the 90's. TNA is WCW in '96. All it's going to take is one hot storyline, and a lot of changes in TNA's production methods to make them WCW 1997. When and if this happens, WWE will be scrambling just like they were, and it took a long time for the "Attitude" era to take a foothold. I seriously wonder if WWE has enough "in the tank" to fight something like that off again.
I also wonder if Shane's exit isn't designed to get some publicity and curiousity about him, only to have him land with his mother's campaign. My gut tells me that's where he's headed.
Wayne - 10/17/2009 12:56:37 AM EDT -
Even Shane McMahon is fed up with the pathetic state this company is currently in. WWE today is a complete shell of its former groundbreaking self from the late 90's, a time known as the "attitude era". A time when fans intelligence was not insulted, when the company had some conviction and guts, a time when it was catering to their natural target audience of young adult males who want to see over the top characters, compelling adult themes and storylines, and yes big breasted women ripping each others clothes off in "cat fights" once a week. The evidence is undeniable; it led to a rapid explosion in popularity and TV ratings, making Vince a Billionaire for the first time (he no longer is one), creating international superstars such as The Rock & Stone Cold Steve Austin and killing WWEs competition. Since then it has been in constant decline, DESPITE the fact that they have no direct competitor. Their current performers lack charisma, character and acting ability, the storylines are nonsensical or nonexistent, the action is tame, repetitive and predictable, the whole direction is wrong. I think the regressive move down to PG when they should have been going up to R really indicates how lost they are at this point. This move, as well as the other problems mentioned must quickly be changed and fixed, otherwise over a short time frame, they will become more and more visible for all to see, no matter how many "celebrity host" stunts they pull to try and cover up their own shortcomings.
David Allen - 10/16/2009 10:52:02 PM EDT
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