One of the longest-serving and influential backstage executives at WWE is reportedly departing the company after more than three decades there. PWInsider reports that Kevin Dunn, the company’s Executive Producer & Chief, Global Television Distribution, told WWE over Christmas week that he will be leaving. Dunn has been at the helm of WWE production since the debut of Monday Night Raw in 1993 and as such, his departure will undoubtedly have an unparalleled impact on programming going forward.
The outlet reports that a major factor in Dunn’s departure was a conflict in how WWE TV production should be run following Endeavor’s acquisition of the company earlier this year. Specifically, there are said to have been changes made internally as a direct result of that acquisition and Dunn was “never going to do anything that was dictated” to him due to him personally overseeing production for so long in the past.
Additionally, it was noted that Dunn has stepped back somewhat as of late and allowed others to take over some of his responsibilities, suggesting that the move may have been a while in the making. As for who will take over from him, sources at the company believe that several people will likely take on the responsibilities that Dunn previously handled by himself. At one point, Michael Mansbury was believed to be his sole successor but he has since departed for AEW where he now holds the position of Senior Vice President and Co-Executive Producer.
Mansbury himself recently made headlines when reports emerged that he was directly responsible for the recent release of long-time AEW executive Kevin Sullivan. Sullivan held the role of Vice President of Post-Production since the very early days of the promotion but was unexpectedly told that the company was headed in a different direction earlier this month before being let go from his position. The move was said to have “blindsided” many backstage at the company.