After nearly five years as a WWE announcer, Mauro Ranallo is no longer with the company, confirming Dave Meltzer’s report with a statement on Facebook.
“I appreciate the opportunity I had to realize my childhood dream of working in sports entertainment, and I wish WWE well in the future,” Ranallo wrote. “Now I want to direct my focus and devote my time to my other projects and to my mental health charitable activities and the well-being of my mother and myself.”
WWE offered a statement of their own, calling Ranallo’s departure a mutual decision.
Prior to joining WWE in 2015, Ranallo had already built a more than three-decade long broadcasting career, which included work for Championship Boxing on Showtime and covering MMA. The 50-year old announcer is expected to continue his contributions with Showtime and MMA organization Bellator. In 2018, Showtime even released a documentary about Ranallo titled Bipolar Rock ‘N Roller. The film discusses Ranallo’s career and struggles with bipolar disorder as the announcer advocates to end the stigma with mental illness.
Ranallo’s mutual departure from WWE comes after the company recently made other changes, which includes popular announcer Renee Young leaving her longtime commentary role last month. According to Dave Meltzer, Ranallo’s replacement on NXT is expected to be Stu Bennett who has reportedly been in talks with WWE about a full-time opportunity with the company.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
