Nick Khan: I Wish Stephanie McMahon Didn’t Step Away, But I Respect Her Decision

In May 2022, Stephanie McMahon announced she was going on a leave of absence from WWE to spend more time with her family. Less than a month later, McMahon returned as the interim chairwoman and CEO following an investigation by the board of directors into allegations of sexual misconduct and hush money towards her father, Vince McMahon. 

Stephanie was named the permanent chairwoman after Vince retired in July 2022. 

In January 2023, Vince returned to the board of directors. As a result of his return, Stephanie announced her resignation. 

Speaking to Bill Simmons on the Bill Simmons podcast, WWE President Nick Khan was asked about Stephanie’s decision. 

“She decided to step away. Initially, she was on leave of absence, some of the Vince stuff started to happen, he stepped out for a moment. She was asked by Vince, by myself, by the board, to come back. She came back, which we were extremely gracious for her in doing so. Ultimately, when Vince came back, she decided she was ready to go and step out. I respected the decision, I wish she hadn’t done that, and she knows that from me personally, she’s a terrific executive and a terrific person. That’s her decision, her relationship with Vince is theirs and when she made it, I have full respect for the decision,” he said. 

When asked if Stephanie may potentially return, Khan replied, “I don’t know what the future holds, but with Vince as the Chairman of the company, Paul [Stephanie’s husband Paul Levesque aka Triple H] the head of creative, me in the role that I’m in, if Stephanie wanted to do something with WWE, WWE would embrace that, the WWE Universe would embrace that. I think she’s enjoying some time off. After grinding hard, as she grinded hard, take a few months off. She still has school-aged children, she and Paul do, I think she’s enjoying herself.”

Fans can read Stephanie’s statement regarding her resignation by clicking here. 

Elsewhere during the interview, Khan commented on Vince’s return and his decision to enter into a transaction with Endeavor. You can find his full comments by clicking here. 

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