- Mark Henry was brought to Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings in Fresno, California to be named as Randy Orton’s Elimination Chamber replacement. Later in the day, likely because officials realized Henry wasn’t physically ready, the decision was made to have Santino Marella replace Orton.

- WWE made several office cuts on February 10th that were considered “major and shocking.” Jim Connelly, one of WWE’s top executives, was released along with Florence DiGiorgio and Dean Miller.

Connelly, hired in 1999 and considered to be a major pick-up, worked as Senior Vice President of Consumer Products. Dean Miller worked under Connelly as the Senior Manager of Home Entertainment and Florence DiGiorgio, hired back in the 90′s, worked as WWE’s Senior Director of Global Licensing.

WWE’s official word on the departures is that they are re-organizing that department but the feeling was that Vince McMahon made the moves at the worst time – right before the big New York Toy Fair last week. At the Toy Fair, people from WWE’s Consumer Products division were awkwardly dancing around questions on who to contact within WWE for potential licensing deals. Within WWE, people have been surprised at the timing of gutting that department.

Big Update on Bald Undertaker, Possible Spoiler on Jericho/Rock and Lots More…

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

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