Tag: sue aitchison

WWE reportedly lays off longest-tenured employee after 38 years

Posted on by Josh Nason

The longest-tenured employee at WWE, who was also a past Warrior Award winner, is reportedly no longer with the company.

According to PWInsider, WWE senior director of talent relations Sue Aitchinson was let go on Friday, ending a 38-year run with the company. 

No reason was given as to why she was let go, but it’s the third-such talent relations change this week in the ever-changing TKO-owned WWE.

Aitchinson, also a past director of community relations, was honored with the Warrior Award as part of the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony with Stephanie McMahon as the one who gave her introduction speech.

She started with the company in 1986 and, as PWInsider’s Mike Johnson noted, she was directly responsible for building WWE’s relationship with Make-A-Wish. She was honored with the Make-A-Wish Chris Greicius Celebrity Award in both 2006 and 2016.

Earlier this week, WWE parted ways with executive VP of talent Dan Ventrelle after nearly two years along with senior VP of athlete ID & development Trent Wilfinger after nearly three years.

Sue Aitchison to receive 2019 WWE Warrior Award

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A longtime WWE employee will be receiving the Warrior Award at this year’s Hall of Fame ceremony.

WWE announced today that Sue Aitchison is the winner of this year’s Warrior Award. The award “is presented to an individual who has exhibited unwavering strength and perseverance and who lives life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of The Ultimate Warrior.”

Aitchison has worked for WWE for more than 30 years and is the company’s director of community relations. WWE notes that Aitchison is credited with spearheading their community outreach programs, including WWE’s relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Aitchison was honored with Make-A-Wish’s Chris Greicius Celebrity Award in 2006.

“I’m so humbled — just thinking about this honor is emotional,” Aitchison told the Stamford Advocate. “Giving back is part of WWE’s philosophy. This is something we do and always want to do well.”

“Sue has dedicated her entire career to helping Wish kids fulfill their dreams and putting smiles on countless families’ faces. Her heart and character epitomize the essence of the Warrior Award,” Stephanie McMahon said. “She is an unsung hero who deserves to be recognized and immortalized in the WWE Hall of Fame.”

Dana Warrior will present the award to Aitchison at the Hall of Fame ceremony, which is taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, April 6. D-Generation X (Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chyna, X-Pac, Road Dogg & Billy Gunn), Honky Tonk Man, Torrie Wilson, and Harlem Heat (Booker T & Stevie Ray) have been announced for this year’s Hall of Fame class.

Connor “The Crusher” Michalek posthumously received the inaugural Warrior Award in 2015. Joan Lunden, Eric LeGrand, and Jarrius “JJ” Robertson have been Warrior Award recipients over the past three years.