UPDATED: WWE has made several other cuts in their non-talent departments, according to the latest report. PWInsider reports that in addition to the cuts in the Talent Relations department, the company has cut some names from their communications department.
The site is reporting that Mead Rust, who was VP of Communications, has exited. He began with the company two years ago, coming over from A&E Networks. Publicity and Corporate Communications Director Joe Villa is also gone. Villa had been with WWE in one capacity or another since 1999, and began working as a publicist for them in 2005. He had been in his current position since February of 2013.
WWE talent relations shakeup and the Mickie James trash bag controversy triggers additional firings
April 23, 2021
By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
-WWE has reportedly fired former head of talent relations Mark Carrano, who had been the senior director of the department, according to WrestlingInc.com.
-WWE also fired director of talent relations Nicole Zeoli and senior manager of talent relations John Cone, according to Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com. Johnson also reported the firings of Joe Villa from the position of Manager Publicity and Corporate Communications, and Mead Rust, Vice President of Communications. Cone will continue to work as a referee.
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(Photo Credit: WWE)
Longtime WWE referee John Cone is already back with the company in the Talent Relations department.
It was reported on Thursday that Cone has been released from his job as Senior Manager of the Talent Relations department as a part of the latest shake-up with John Laurinaitis taking back control of the department. It was reported then that Cone would remain with the company as a referee.
In an update, PWInsider reports that Cone’s termination from the Talent Relations department has been rescinded. He is already back with the company as Senior Manager of Talent Relations, under Laurinaitis.