Tensions With JBL Affected Mauro Ranallo's Health Battle?
More details emerge as announcer recovers...
Fans of Smackdown have undoubtedly noticed that highly lauded announcer Mauro Ranallo has been absent from the last three episodes of the show. Last week, news broke that Ranallo was battling bipolar disorder (the play-by-play broadcaster has been very vocal about his longtime fight with mental illness), but now, more details are emerging.
According to The Wrestling Observer, it was issues with color commentator JBL that may have exacerbated Ranallo's condition. JBL frequently takes shots at Ranallo on Smackdown, but the issues appear to be very real - the former WWE Champion has insulted his colleague on Twitter, and on the WWE Network's "Bring It to the Table," he lambasted Ranallo for tweeting about being voted the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Announcer of the Year. According to those close to the pair, tension had been building up for a while prior to JBL's outburst, and he took exception to the tweet.
Ranallo missed Smackdown the following evening, with the explanation given that he was stranded at home due to the weather. Since then, Mauro has been focused on recovery, with the exception of a pair of tweets thanking fans for their support and wishing WWE good luck at WrestleMania.