WWE Reportedly Interested In Former UFC Announcer Mike Goldberg

Mauro Ranallo is gone, but is his replacement already on his way?

by Andy H Murray
Mike Goldberg
UFC

Mauro Ranallo officially parted ways with WWE over the weekend, and the company may already have his replacement in mind. According to a report from Sportskeeda, WWE have seemingly contacted former UFC commentator Mike Goldberg about joining their broadcast team.

Stating that Goldberg is a "top target" for the company, the report suggests that Goldberg's friendship with Jim Ross could prove decisive. Triple H apparently feels that JR could not only help influence Goldberg's decision to join the company, but also get him familiarised with the current WWE product if he signs.

Goldberg has been sidelined since leaving the UFC in December 2016, and this isn't the first time WWE have reached out to him. Goldberg was approached as a potential long-term JR replacement in 2005, but opted to stay with the UFC, who he started working for in 1997.

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Tom Phillips will continue as SmackDown's lead announcer in the interim, and WWE have apparently only spoken to Goldberg's representatives thus far - not the man himself. Goldberg has never worked in wrestling, but would bring several decades of sports broadcasting experience to the table, hence WWE's apparent interest in him.

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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.