WWE made some major changes today in a variety of ways.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider reports that many people within WWE’s digital department are departing the company in another round of layoffs. Executive Vice President, Advanced Media Group Jaylar Donlan was one of the first big names; his termination ended his eight-year run with the company.
In another article, Johnson reported the departure of Brian Pellegatto, WWE’s Senior Vice President, Production. He had worked his way up the ladder throughout nine years with the company.
In an update, Johnson stated that to coincide with these layoffs, several divisions will be “folded together” under the supervision of Executive Vice President, Television Production Kevin Dunn. This move is reportedly to lessen “redundancies” among departments in order to operate with a more efficient size of the staff. Johnson noted that the COVID-19 pandemic forced WWE to operate with a smaller staff, and this successful adaptation may have been a factor in these developments.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful also reported the news of the merger between the departments.
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
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Update: Content Director James Wortman, who had been with the company for more than a decade, announced that he is parting ways with the company, too.
James Wortman announced this afternoon that he was among the WWE departures today. Wortman was Content Director for the company and had been there for a little over 11 eleven years.
This isn’t something I expected to say today or on any day, but I am no longer with WWE after 11 years.
Thank you to all of the friends I’ve made during that time and to the talented people I’ve had the pleasure to work with.
It’s not goodbye, it’s “see you down the road.” pic.twitter.com/0PdU4VWKFt
— James Wortman (@JamesWortman) May 25, 2021
In another update, Manager, Media & Metadata Operations Adam Kirshner, known for his work with WWE’s YouTube channel and official website, announced his departure, ending his 15-year run with the company.
https://twitter.com/AKirshner123/status/1397246355253366790?s=20
Accoring to Wrestlenomics, Executive Vice President of International Jay Rosenstock was also released.
Later on Thursday, Deadline reported that WWE Studios also suffered a number of layoffs across its film, television and digital departments.
Johnson also reported that several members of the international staff were released in order to consolidate this side of the company’s affairs. WWE President Nick Khan will reportedly supervise the international divisions in order to ensure consistency with WWE’s domestic offices.