fightful

John Laurinaitis gone from WWE, still on email lists

Added 2022-08-08 20:28:42 +0000 UTC

Fightful has confirmed PWInsider's report that John Laurinaitis has been fired by WWE. However, was still looped in to company emails, Fightful Select is told.

That stopped briefly after Triple H was appointed the EVP of Talent relations, but he has re-emerged on internal mailing lists.

John Laurinaitis was placed on administrative leave amid board investigations (while Vince McMahon wasn't, but later retired), and his duties of Head of Talent Relations had been assumed by Bruce Prichard. Fightful Select was informed last week that Laurinaitis was still included in a series of emails that go out to a wide array of WWE names. However, we've not heard of any additional correspondence from his side. That changed starting with the July 22 episode of WWE Smackdown, where he was no longer included. However, he quickly returned to said lists the following week, where he has remained. We're told that the emails do include "sensitive information pertaining to creative, and personnel."

Fightful was repeatedly told by talent and staff that they don't expect Lauriniatis back, with several outright admitting their excitement that he's gone, and that they won't have to deal with him any more. One top WWE name referred to Laurinaitis as "the biggest snake in the business" as everything unfolded.

We're told that this is somewhat common among recent WWE departures. His email address also may no longer be active.

Laurinaitis name was on an internal WWE termination list, in which Vince McMahon was also included.