As PWMania.com previously reported, WWE President Nick Khan called an all-employee meeting on Tuesday at the new WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT. According to the original report, Khan was joined by Endeavor/TKO CEO Ari Emanuel and TKO Executive Chairman Vince McMahon, among other people. The 12-15 minute meeting was also said to have taken place around 11 a.m. this morning, and was described as a “rah-rah” gathering, with officials promising that the future and outlook for WWE is bright, while also praising each other, the success of the WWE-UFC merger into TKO, and WWE as a whole.
A new report from PWInsider notes that several hundred employees attended the meeting. It was heavily promoted that the post-acquisition era is the next step in WWE’s evolution.
Khan was the first to arrive at the meeting, followed by WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H, WWE Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief of Staff Brad Blum, and WWE Executive Producer & Chief of Global Television Distribution Kevin Dunn.
Khan was the only one from this group to speak as he pushed McMahon aside. Khan also expressed regret that the company had to lay off employees last week, and he thanked everyone for their efforts.
McMahon was then introduced by Khan. The WWE founder praised Emanuel and expressed his admiration for Ari. McMahon stated that WWE had already reached a plateau and that the Endeavor deal was required to advance to the next level. This line reportedly elicited many eye rolls and reactions within the company, with people pointing out how WWE has been touting record numbers. This reaffirmed many people’s belief that McMahon struck a deal in order to return to WWE.
McMahon then introduced the group to “my new boss” Emanuel. Emanuel recalled pursuing McMahon and his partners 20 years ago in the hopes of representing WWE and becoming their agent. Emanuel stated that he has sought advice from McMahon in the past and that McMahon has always given him sound advice, so he is looking forward to this new era.
Emanuel also revealed that his daughter Ashlee now works for WWE and that she is engaged to be married. According to PWInsider, Emanuel’s daughter has been with WWE for quite some time, long before the Endeavor acquisition. Fightful also mentions that she works as a creative assistant.
McMahon left immediately after the meeting, but the rest of the Executives lingered to talk with employees.
Khan lead the meeting following the announcement of dozens of post-acquisition layoffs on Friday.
