WWE's web shakeup, in which Brian Kalinowski, Executive VP of Digital Media was let go as Stephanie McMahon took over the web division (and merged it with the magazine division) is just the first of several corporate shakeups that started with the removal of COO Donna Goldsmith, a key WWE insider has told WrestleZone.
According to our source, and confirmed by a major player in another division in the company, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is taking the stock drop as a lack of investor confidence in the company and is going to revamp the corporate side in order to hopefully boost the stock.
WrestleZone has learned Vince is keen on revamping the consumer products division as well as the sponsorship team, which has already started to be, as we were told, "gutted and re-built."
"Vince is of the mindset that if only he, Stephanie, and HHH are left standing in this next set of changes, so be it," our source told us, "right now in WWE, no executive is safe."
August 22, 2011
WWE Corporate Shakeups Just The Beginning
This Day in Wrestling History
Wahoo McDaniel defeated Sgt. Slaughter for the NWA U.S. Heavyweight title.
August 22, 1982
Mick Foley defeats Steve Austin & Triple H in a Triple Threat Match to become WWF(E) Champion at SummerSlam '99. Jesse "The Body" Ventura was the special guest referee.
August 22, 1999
Lita defeated Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley for the WWF(E) Women's title and Shane McMahon defeated Steve Blackman for the WWF(E) Hardcore title.
August 22, 2000
Professor Toru Tanaka (Charles "Charlie" J. Kalani, Jr.) died of a heart attack at age 70.
August 22, 2000
August 21, 2011
Why WWE's Corporate Site Was Pulled and More Changes to WWE.COM
According to sources within the company, Stephanie McMahon is now in charge of WWE website as a result of structural changes made in recent weeks.
As we noted a few months back in the Elite section of PWInsider.com, the company has merged the website and magazine departments. We have heard that the magazine side of things are now overseeing the website.
As Dave Scherer noted earlier today, the corporate side of the WWE.com site was pulled and redirects to the main URL address. I was told this is so the company can make changes to that side of their website.
source: pwinsider.com
More Departures From WWE's Corporate End
There were at least two more departures from WWE's Corporate side in the last week in what was described to me as a "major restructuring."
Mark Keys, Vice President of Digital & Interactive Content Production & Social Media for the company has departed the company within the last several days.
We have also heard a major executive within the company's Sponsorship division has also left, but haven't confirmed the executive's name.
These departures follow the exit of Brian Kalinowski, who was WWE's Executive Vice President of Digital Media and left the company several days ago as well.
source: pwinsider.com
Strange Things Are Going On In WWE
WWE's corporate website, corporate.wwe.com, is suddenly forwarding to WWE. My hunch is that it's just a mistake of some kind since the site was created as a tool for people who bought the company's stock. Coming on the heels of former New Media honcho Brian Kalinowski leaving the company, I am sure it will get people talking. It very well could be that it's a matter of WWE's PR department, which runs the corporate site, is redirecting until they get Kalinowski's bio off of the page.
source: pwinsider.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Dusty Rhodes defeats Harley Race for the NWA World Heavyweight Title.
August 21, 1979
WCW held the Clash of the Champions XXXV, the final Clash ever, at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, TN.
August 21, 1997
August 20, 2011
Matt Hardy Out of TNA Following DWI Arrest
Matt Hardy Arrested for DWI
Wrestling superstar Matt Hardy was arrested in North Carolina today for suspicion of driving while intoxicated ... TMZ has learned.
According to the Moore County Jail, Hardy was busted this afternoon by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and released around 7:00 PM ET.
Hardy is currently part of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, but made his name in the WWE.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, a trooper discovered Hardy after his 2009 Corvette ran off the road and struck a tree. Hardy was by himself at the time and did not suffer any injuries.
The trooper observed signs of impairment and arrested Hardy. He was charged with DWI and the trooper found no other contraband in the vehicle. Hardy submitted to a blood test, the results are pending.
Critic of WWE's Anti-bullying Campaign Issues Retraction and Apology
Lisa Wright, program director of the national non-profit organization Council for Unity, has issued a retraction and an apology regarding her criticism of the Be a STAR Alliance's anti-bullying campaign with WWE.
Wright wrote a letter earlier this week criticizing their campaign after receiving an e-mail concerning the numerous "fat jokes" being directed towards performer Vickie Guerrero on television. She asked how the organization's partnership with WWE fits their mission to show tolerance and respect since professional wrestling consists of name calling and threats culminating in violence. She concluded her letter by requesting the removal of the Council for Unity from the Be a STAR Alliance website's list of organization affiliates. Wright, however, has since rescinded her request and issued an apology to WWE and the Be a STAR Alliance:
Yesterday, a letter that I had written, that was never intended to be made public, was. In the letter about my perceptions regarding the alliance between the Be a Star Alliance and the WWE with regard to bullying prevention, it was never my intention to disparage the Be a STAR Alliance, the WWE, the wrestlers or their many fans.
After careful consideration and research on my part, plus some intelligent feedback from some of the loyal fans of WWE, I realize that perhaps I reacted too harshly and without enough information. I have been reminded that the important issue is the prevention of bullying and the protection and support of those that have been victimized by it. Ultimately, my own actions, intended or no, have had a negative impact.
In the spirit of tolerance and understanding, which I have been reminded I must practice as well as preach, I hereby offer an apology to the Be a STAR foundation and the WWE. I also wish to rescind my request that my organization be removed from the Be a STAR Alliance website. There are often many ways to reach a goal; the important thing is that we support each other on our journey.
Again, I sincerely apologize.
Lisa Wright
