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WWE fans boo Vince McMahon retirement as daughter Stephanie opens SmackDown-Alistair McGeorge-Entertainment – Metro
The new co-CEO and chair kicked off the show.
Stephanie McMahon started SmackDown hours after Vince McMahon’s retirement (Picture: WWE)
New WWE co-CEO and chairwoman Stephanie McMahon kicked off tonight’s episode of SmackDown hours after her father Vince McMahon announced his shock retirement.
The businesswoman was in the ring as Friday’s show came on the air, and she used the time to pay tribute to her dad, who has called time on his tenure amid an investigation by the board of directors into sexual misconduct allegations.
She said: ‘Ladies and gentleman, welcome to Friday Night SmackDown! Earlier tonight, my father Vince McMahon retired from WWE.
‘This is the company that he created, that he founded, and he wanted to make sure – in his retirement – that he thanked all of you. He thanked the WWE Universe.’
The first reference to Vince’s retirement was met with boos, while the Boston crowd chanted ‘thank you Vince’ as Stephanie joked they were ‘jumping’ the gun, adding: ‘I’m trying to get there.’
She noted Vince’s statement of gratitude referred to everyone from the crew and wrestlers to graphic designers, commentators Pat McAfee and Michael Cole, and the fans themselves.
‘This is the WWE Universe, and we are eternally grateful for all of you. but since Vince has the opportunity to thank us, I think this is the opportunity to take to thank him,’ she said, leading the fans in another ‘thank you Vince’ chant.
In a statement on Friday, Vince said: ‘As I approach 77 years old, I feel it’s time for me to retire as Chairman and CEO of WWE. Throughout the years, it’s been a privilege to help WWE bring you joy, inspire you, thrill you, surprise you, and always entertain you.
‘I would like to thank my family for mightily contributing to our success, and I would also like to thank all of our past and present Superstars and employees for their dedication and passion for our brand.
‘Most importantly, I would like to thank our fans for allowing us into your homes every week and being your choice of entertainment.
‘I hold the deepest appreciation and admiration for our generations of fans all over the world who have liked, currently like, and sometimes even love our form of Sports Entertainment.’
McMahon said he is ‘extremely confident’ that WWE’s success will continue, saying he is leaving the company ‘in capable hands’, with Chairwoman and Co-CEO Stephanie McMahon and Co-CEO Nick Khan at the helm.
As the majority shareholder, he vows to continue to support WWE ‘in any way I can.’
‘My personal thanks to our community and business partners, shareholders, and Board of Directors for their guidance and support through the years. Then. Now. Forever. Together’, he signed off.
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