All Elite Wrestling started the year with big changes in its administrative section. The appointment of new employees and positions aimed to strengthen the promotion for its operation over the next few years.
A few moments ago, the company reported a new hire in its senior management. Through a press release, AEW confirmed the arrival of Kosha Irby as the new Chief Operating Officer (or COO). But who is Kosha Irby? What’s his job and what brought the sudden change? Let’s find out.
Kosha Irby brings in a lot of experience
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The COO, or chief operating officer, is the executive who is in charge of coordinating a company’s processes and operations. The role aims to bridge the gap between different areas and ensure that all teams work in collaboration for the company’s goal. In AEW, that role is now occupied by Kosha Irby. Irby already has experience in the world of professional wrestling. Between 2011 and 2017, the marketing expert worked with WWE as Regional Director of Live Events.
He has also taken the lead in marketing departments at multiple sports companies. Such as being the Chief Marketing Officer for Clemson University’s athletics department. He has also held top-level positions with the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football. He also occupied the role of President of the Professional Bull Riders. And now the COO’s work will be focused on the planning and execution of multiple aspects of the company, such as live events, marketing, finance, Human Resources, and more. This is the first time AEW has had a COO for its operations since the company’s founding in 2019.
AEW President Tony Khan shared his excitement as he announced Irby as the new COO. He said, “Kosha brings decades of experience within the sports, entertainment, and wrestling industries alongside an incredible work ethic and passion for our brand. As Chief Operating Officer, he will be a phenomenal asset to AEW as we enter the next phase of the company’s ongoing business development and expansion.”. But one must be wondering, why the sudden change? Well, what if we tell you that Irby has been handling things for months?
The changes are not so sudden
While many may think that Kosha Irby has just been made the COO, that’s not true. The latest report from Fightful Select noted that Irby’s hiring took place in early 2024. Although the announcement took place just hours ago, the new authority has been making significant changes to AEW’s presentation since January. Including the organization of the company’s upcoming live events.
Kosha Irby took on the role of Rafael Morffi. Morffi served as Vice President of Live Events and Touring until December of last year when he decided to leave AEW to take a position at Barclays Center. The former AEW worker had already secured several stops in the United States and Canada until March 2024.
The new COO began negotiating new dates in February. Pointing to several unprecedented scenarios for April with a much more efficient approach in terms of the regional distribution of dates. Several sources cited Irby’s actions as completely different from Morffi’s. This has sparked a completely positive backstage reaction at All Elite Wrestling. With this move, Irby follows in the footsteps of two other major WWE officials who left the company to be All Elite.
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Officials who quit the WWE to become All Elite
Michael Mansury left WWE after more than a decade in 2020. All Elite Wrestling hired him to fill the position of Senior Vice President and Co-Executive Producer. He was seen within WWE as a potential replacement for Kevin Dunn if he ended up leaving the company. However, despite the changes in administration, Kevin Dunn continued to hold the position of Executive Vice President and Head of Television Production for the WWE. However, the current AEW Senior Vice President did not wait any longer for Dunn’s possible departure and decided to try his luck outside.
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Jennifer Pepperman too left the WWE to join All Elite Wrestling and begin working in the creative department. Tony Khan himself announced the news and he was very excited about this new acquisition. Pepperman is working as the personal writer of Mercedes Mone, with whom she already worked in WWE. In addition, she is playing a prominent role in the direction of the women’s division. Although she is also involved in the creative side of the men’s division.
