Mauro Ranallo Leaves WWE
The popular NXT play-by-play announcer has left the building.
As originally reported by the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, Mauro Ranallo has left WWE.
The story emerged on Monday evening, with Meltzer stating that the departure wasn't going down on negative terms, adding that Mauro had been seeking a more relaxed role with the company after his mother was hospitalised in British Columbia, Canada recently. WWE soon followed up with confirmation, releasing the following statement:-
"WWE and Mauro Ranallo have mutually and amicably agreed to part ways. Mauro’s passion and enthusiasm left an indelible and exciting mark with WWE and its fans, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors."
WWE had accommodated Ranallo's scheduling requests by allowing him to record remote commentary from his home at the onset of the global health crisis, though the play-by-play man had been missing from recent broadcasts.
Mauro has said the following of his departure:-
"I appreciate the opportunity I had to realize my childhood dream of working in sports entertainment, and I wish WWE well in the future. 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."
It is expected that Ranallo will keep doing boxing coverage for Showtime and MMA work with Bellator. He had been with WWE since December 2015, initially working on SmackDown before transitioning to NXT, and could be replaced by the returning Wade Barrett, with whom WWE is currently negotiating.