Not done with WWE just yet, Mauro Ranallo joins NXT broadcasting team
The ex-voice of "SmackDown Live" will remain with WWE instead of partying ways with the company
It appeared back in April that Mauro Ranallo's highly-acclaimed run with WWE was over. But things change fast in this industry, and instead of departing the company, he will be sticking around. Ranallo announced Thursday via his social media accounts that he will be returning to WWE soon as part of the NXT broadcasting team.
Previously the lead voice of "SmackDown Live" and "205 Live," Ranallo deleted mention of his WWE affiliation from his Twitter account back in April along with a noticeable amount of WWE related retweets. A source close to the situation told CBS Sports at the time that Ranallo, 47, was not planning to appear on camera for the remainder of his contract, which expires on Aug. 12, 2017.
Ranallo did not appear at WrestleMania 33 and has been absent from WWE television since it was announced on a March 14 episode of "SmackDown Live" that he would miss the show due to inclement weather on the East Coast. The following week, WWE announced that Ranallo was off television due to an illness.
A decorated combat sports analyst who is currently the lead play-by-play commentator for Showtime Championship Boxing and will call the Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor superfight on Aug. 26, Ranallo is credited with injecting incredible energy into everything he broadcasts.
He was a big reason why many fans flocked to "SmackDown Live" following WWE's brand split last last year. Tom Phillips, also the voice of NXT, took over main play-by-play duties for Ranallo on "SmackDown Live" and will presumably remain in that position with Ranallo taking the "NXT" show off his hands. With NXT being a taped program weekly aside from its occasional special live TakeOver events, the fit seems to make a ton of sense considering Ranallo's busy schedule.
I am now the play by play voice of @ShowtimeBoxing @BellatorMMA @WWENXT ALWAYS KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT! #MentalHealth #Gratitude 🙏
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) June 22, 2017
Ranallo clarified his situation with WWE as follows on Instagram. It is unknown whether he has signed a contract extension.
"THE NXT CHAPTER BEGINS! WWE and I mutually agreed to end my responsibilities on SmackDown having nothing to do with rumors about disputes. As I remained under contract with WWE, we discussed a variety of options. Despite originally agreeing to part ways, there was always a desire to continue working together. We have come to terms on a new agreement that benefits both WWE and me, and I am thrilled to announce I will now be part of the NXT broadcasting team"
An advocate for mental health who has been outspoken about his lifelong battle, nicknaming himself "The Bipolar Rock and Roller," Ranallo tweeted out the following message on March 24 that has since been deleted: "I'm deeply touched by your tweets of support. My doctor wants me to stay off social media for now but I wanted to thank you."
Ranallo is a native of British Columbia, Canada, who began his pro wrestling broadcasting career in Vancouver at the age of 16 with NWA All-Star Wrestling. Before coming to WWE, he was the American voice of New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS TV.
















