Stephanie McMahon started SmackDown hours after Vince McMahon’s retirement (Picture: WWE)

New WWE co-CEO and chairwoman Stephanie McMahon kicked off tonight’s episode of SmackDown hours after her father Vince McMahon announced his shock retirement.

The businesswoman was in the ring as Friday’s show came on the air, and she used the time to pay tribute to her dad, who has called time on his tenure amid an investigation by the board of directors into sexual misconduct allegations.