WWE Cuts Referee With Cancer, Low Ki, Vince Dislikes Obama, Mysterio

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter (F4WOnline.com)

? As noted earlier, referee Mickey Henson was recently released by World Wrestling Entertainment. Henson had taken a leave absence due to a health related issue. It is now coming out that Henson is suffering from lymphoma, a form of cancer. Henson had largely kept his illness quiet, only telling a few friends (including Batista, who he is close to), along with John Laurinaitis and Vince McMahon. WWE reportedly promised Henson employment while he battled cancer since he didn't have health insurance.

? Perhaps the main reason World Wrestling Entertainment laid off a number of employees this month is because Vince McMahon himself believes the economy is going to take a turn for the worst this year, mainly due to his negative reaction to Barack Obama winning the United States presidential election. McMahon has been telling people he expects unemployment to hit 10% by the end of the year. While the economic woes haven't greatly impacted his company thus far, the cuts were made in preparation for what he expects to happen.

? The Baltimore Sun has an interview up with Rey Mysterio where he talks about his injuries, the Royal Rumble, and more. Check out the article at https://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/

? Low Ki signed his deal with WWE right after he dropped the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title at the 1/4 New Japan event at the Tokyo Dome reports The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He started immediately with WWE at the Florida Championship Wrestling event on January 8 where he was billed as "Kawal." Original plans were to bring him in as a heel rival for Rey Mysterio so that Mysterio could work with someone closer to his size. It remains to be seen if those plans are still scheduled to take place. He had his tryout match with WWE on November 4, 2007 in Orlando, FL.