WWE's Mauro Ranallo Suffering From Depression

Rough times for SmackDown's lead announcer.

by Andy H Murray
mauro ranallo
WWE.com

Mauro Ranallo's continued absence from WWE programming has been a source of much speculation over the past two weeks. The popular play-by-play announcer missed March 14th's SmackDown Live due to "travel issues," according to the company, and when he skipped this week's show (March 21st), WWE gave illness as the result.

Today's Wrestling Observer Newsletter sheds some new light on the situation, and according to Dave Meltzer's report, Ranallo has been suffering from a crippling bout of depression. The commentator has a long history with the condition, dating all the way back to his teenage years, and it once caused him to miss commentating on an Invicta Fighting Championships event prior to joining WWE.

Ranallo is known for being extremely active on Twitter, but hasn't Tweeted since March 13th. He has reportedly been out of contact with his friends since the same date, but the report states that two of his closest friends have stated Mauro is fine, and resting at home.

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Mauro has never been shy of hiding his depression, and his spoken openly about it with publications like Fighting Spirit magazine. Here's hoping he makes a speedy recovery, and can soon resume his role as SmackDown's lead announcer.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.