Below are a couple of top WWE news stories of the day.
• Identity Of Another Name That Got Released From WWE
WWE has let go of several employees in a new round of internal layoffs this week. According to PWInsider, the cuts were made across multiple departments, including Creative Services and Photography.
As we previously noted, one of the most notable exits was Christine Lubrano, who was the Senior Vice President of Creative Writing Operations. Lubrano had joined WWE in January 2021 and played a major role in managing the creative side of the company.
She was responsible for managing all strategic aspects of the company’s creative department. The creative teams for RAW, SmackDown, and NXT reported to both her and Bruce Prichard, with both ultimately reporting to WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Triple H.
In an update, WWE broadcast personality Ryan Pappolla was among those released during yesterday’s round of staff cuts.
Pappolla had spent nearly 10 years with the company, beginning as an intern and initially contributing on the editorial side before moving into an on-air role. He became known for his work on WWE Now and later as a host on WWE’s show The Bump. Most recently, he had been featured on WWE’s Twitch channel, hosting Vault Watchalong broadcasts and RAW Sidecasts.
WWE has not released an official comment about the layoffs, but the report said that between 10 and 12 people were let go so far. That number could increase.
There have been no cuts to the talent roster yet, but those often follow behind-the-scenes layoffs.
Also Read: Big WWE Debut Is Near
• Drew McIntyre Reveals Which WWE Match Gave Him PTSD
At Clash At The Castle 2022, Drew McIntyre came close to beating Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. But just when it looked like he might win, Solo Sikoa made his main roster debut and interfered, costing McIntyre the match in front of more than 55,000 fans in Cardiff, Wales.
In an interview with High Performance, McIntyre talked about how that loss still affects him.
“My reaction to The Bloodline suddenly getting cheered wasn’t, ‘We’re good now, let’s high-five.’ Five years ago, maybe. But now? No. These guys beat me up. Why are people cheering for them?” he said.
“He made my life hell. He screwed me over in the UK, in front of 55,000 people, cost me the World Title. And now people just say, ‘Drew, get over it.’ But I can’t. I’m traumatized. I have PTSD.”
McIntyre said he uses those real feelings in his character on TV.
“We implement those real feelings into the storylines. That’s how I began evolving into this darker version of myself, and it’s the same with CM Punk. Real emotion sells,” he said.
“The more my character gets close to the finish line and then fails, the more interesting it gets. It gives me more to work with, more truth to speak, more reasons to lash out. And yeah, people might not like hearing the truth all the time, but that’s what keeps things compelling on TV.”
Also Read: Absent Wrestler Expected To Return To WWE TV Soon
