Bruce Prichard Replaces Eric Bischoff As Executive Director Of WWE Smackdown; Bischoff Comments

Huge changes in store for WWE and Smackdown.

WWE announced Tuesday that former WCW President Eric Bischoff has been replaced in his role as Executive Director of WWE Smackdown by Bruce Prichard. Both men rejoined WWE in an official capacity earlier this year. 

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You can see the full press release below. 

WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced that it has named Bruce Prichard the Executive Director of Friday Night SmackDown, reporting directly to WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon.

Prichard will oversee the creative development of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX and ensure integration across all platforms and lines of business, replacing Eric Bischoff. 

Prichard brings nearly 40 years of experience in sports entertainment with an extensive background in character development and creative storytelling. Over the course of his career, Prichard has served in a variety of roles including announcer, producer, agent and on-screen personality. Earlier this year, Prichard returned to WWE as a member of the company’s creative team.

Friday Night SmackDown airs at 8 pm ET/PT on FOX.

WWE saw massive turnover at the beginning of the year, which slowed down in recent months. Friday Night Smackdown just debuted on Fox over a week ago, and completed a talent draft this week. 

Prichard has been with WWE on and off since 1987, but was gone from the company for over a decade. Eric Bischoff worked with WWE between 2002 and 2005 before returning earlier this year. WWE told Fightful Select shortly after that Bischoff was gone from the company completely, replaced by Prichard. 

Fightful Select has also noted that Prichard has already been very hands-on in a variety of situations, and that much of the staff and some of the roster found out about Bischoff's firing at 1 PM EST. Select is gathering more notes on the situation as it progresses. 

Eric Bischoff would comment on the move, endorsing Prichard.

Bruce is a great producer, good friend and I am certain he is going to thrive in his position. He’s going to be working with a great team of the most dedicated and hard working people I have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know. https://t.co/aMKk8d3Rx7

— Eric Bischoff (@EBischoff) October 15, 2019

Both men are currently featured on podcasts hosted by Conrad Thompson, and have openly spoke of their friendship, to the point of performing on live shows together.