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Shawn Michaels expected to replace Bruce Prichard in WWE creative

Posted: Oct 30th 2026 By: Joseph Currier

Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Shawn Michaels could soon be working closely together on WWE main roster creative.

Following the news that Bruce Prichard will be scaling down his WWE duties, PWInsider reported today that WWE’s succession plan is for Michaels to essentially replace Prichard. Prichard has been one of the key people in WWE creative as Executive Director but is stepping away from that role in 2027. The expectation is that Prichard will depart his position following WrestleMania 43 and become a consultant working from home.

Michaels currently is in charge of NXT as Senior Vice President of Talent Development & Creative. The PWInsider report didn’t state if WWE already has someone in mind to take over Michaels’ NXT role. False Finish says there are people within the Performance Center who expect AJ Styles will become more hands-on with NXT after the move is made.

“PWInsider.com can exclusively confirm that WWE is planning to promote from within and according to multiple sources, the plan is for the current head of WWE NXT and Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Creative, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels to essentially step into Prichard’s current role,” the report said.

Michaels and Levesque have been great friends for decades and are WWE Hall of Famers individually and as part of D-Generation X. When Levesque had heart issues in 2021, Michaels replaced him in NXT and has been running the brand since. Levesque now leads creative on the main roster.

Bruce Prichard set for neck surgery —

Prichard’s decision to step back comes after he’s experienced some health issues in recent years, including undergoing triceps and shoulder surgeries. He was away from WWE due to back issues for a period this year, and his friend Conrad Thompson shared earlier this month that Prichard is set to undergo neck surgery. The injury stems from a 1990s angle where Prichard, as his Brother Love character, was attacked by The Ultimate Warrior.