Mark Carrano's role and time in WWE has come to an end.
Previously the Senior Director of Talent Relations, Carrano was fired by WWE last week when Mickie James posted that she was sent her items back in a trash bag after being released. Fightful Select spent the weekend gaining more information on Carrano's reputation and the reaction backstage.
In response to Mickie James putting WWE on blast about returning her items in a trash bag following her release, WWE had Triple H, Johnny Ace, and Stephanie McMahon tweet that the person repsonsible was fired. Fightful has learned that Johnny Ace called up several of the released stars to apologize to them personally, as this happened with more than one. From what we understand the finger was being pointed at Mark Carrano during some of the calls, and he was eventually fired for it.
WWE usually does return items, though we've been told in the past they'd return them in a box, and a varying slew of people would be tasked with gathering them. In one instance this week, we're told that members of the active roster accidentally had their items sent to one of the released talent.
Fightful spoke with several wrestlers in the business regarding Mark Carrano and his ousting from his position in WWE.
We heard from over a dozen former names in WWE, and the reaction was unanimously in favor of Carrano being let go. From simple "Fuck Mark Carrano" responses, to more elaborate explanations the temperature that we took was consistent, but with varying degrees of fervor. Multiple former wrestlers called Carrano a "snake," while one said that they thought deep down he was a good guy who let the power get to him.
A longtime WWE name said that they think Carrano will end up back with the company because he knows "where too many bodies are buried" and that it was tough to take his word at face value. That person had heard of the talent relations shakeup, and thought that the trash bag incident was WWE's perfect out to get rid of him.
Former talent seemed to range from disliking Carrano to loathing him, which we're told is to be expected of someone in his position for former talent. However, most we spoke to understood that Carrano may have been used as a scapegoat for the situation, though we're told this was normal procedure for how he handles departure.
Current WWE wrestlers and staff told us that they could see this coming, and that his power had effectively been neutered of late. One current talent was much more compassionate, and said many of the people who had issues with Carrano also had issues with the office in general. The person also said that when they saw Carrano have to discipline talent, it wasn't in a condescending or hurtful manner over the past few years, but stated it was common in wrestling for different people to have different opinions. Carrano's job was considered a "lose-lose" for a lot of people, and the "fall guy" point was reiterated by more current talent.
We also heard that Carrano fought to increase pay for referees, which is something others in his spot didn't try to do.
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