Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Former WWE Executive John Laurinaitis aka Johnny Ace will make his first-ever post-WWE appearance at Wrestlecon in Los Angeles, CA over Wrestlemania 39 weekend.
Laurinaitis is being brought in by Bobby Fulton's Big Time Collectibles. Fulton is also bringing in WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam:
Laurinaitis was terminated by WWE in August 2022. He had been with WWE from March 2001 on after their acquisition of WCW. During his time performing for All Japan Pro Wrestling as a wrestler, Laurinaitis became well respected for his ability to put together great finishes, leading to Eric Bischoff recruiting him for that role in WCW towards the end of that promotion's existence. When WWE purchased the remnants of World Championship Wrestling in 2001, Laurinaitis moved to the company.
By June 2001, Laurinaitis was elevated into the role of Director of Talent Relations, although at the time some of the job's responsibilities, including payoffs, were still handled by Jim Ross. By March 2009, Laurinaitis became the Executive Vice President of Talent Relations. His duties shifted when Paul Levesque moved into that side of the company with Laurinaitis reporting to Levesque as the Senior Vice President of Talent Operations.
In 2012, Laurinaitus was demoted to working as one of the company's Head Producers. It was never made clear at the time why that shift happened, but it was revealed last year by The Wall Street Journal that the timing of that demotion lines up with an alleged $1.5 million nondisclosure agreement reached in 2012 with an employee involving misconduct claims against Laurinaitis.
Laurinaitis was returned to his former position, now titled General Manager, Talent, returning to head up the company's Talent Relations division in March 2021. He also regularly appeared on WWE reality series Total Bellas and had a run as a heel on screen executive as well that saw him return to the ring in 2012 against John Cena and other babyfaces.
Laurinaitis' exit from the company was all but certain after The Wall Street Journal reported that the WWE Board of Directors were investigating an alleged $3 Million payment made by Vince McMahon in January 2022 to a former WWE Employee who had a sexual relationship with him.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
