His title is “Executive Producer & Chief, Global Television Distribution,” but as important as that sounds, it might understate the role Kevin Dunn has played in WWE over his time with WWE.
But according to a report from PWInsider this evening (December 30), Dunn is the latest executive to leave the company since the Endeavor deal closed in September. He is said to have resigned “around Christmas week”.
Insider writes about the reason:
We're told that a big factor in his decision to retire was internal changes following the Endeavor takeover, and a source explained that Dunn would “never do anything dictated to him,” contrary to that The way he personally oversaw production was the past. We're told this isn't a question of creativity, but rather two different versions of how things should be done from a TV production perspective as WWE's new ownership looks to cut costs.
They add that it was always assumed internally that Dunn “never intended to work for anyone other than Vince McMahon in the WWE.” Since McMahon's power over weekly creative and production has been curtailed since Endeavor spun off the brand with UFC as TKO Group's holding, this is no surprise.
His tenure with the company is long and his bond with Vince is close. Dunn's father worked with Vince's father, and Kevin was hired by the younger McMahon shortly after he purchased the then-WWF from Vince Sr. (as he was known). Over the following decades, his role grew from Associate Producer to his current title and he became one of the most loyal and trusted members of Vince's team. Dunn often played heavy under Vince and generally did not receive positive praise from him former employees – or current ones who speak anonymously to the media.
There is certainly more to come. But if true, this is another big change for the new WWE.
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