10 Things We Learned From Attending NXT TakeOver: New York Live
7. "Mamma Mia!"
The full extent of NXT play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo's popularity can't be truly understood until you've experienced the man walking down to the ring at a TakeOver event.
That sounds daft, and if you'd told your writer this prior to the event, he'd have cast you a sideways glance. Regardless, the pop that greeted Ranallo as he, Percy Watson, and Nigel McGuinness walked down to the ring before NXT went on the air was immense. The Barclays Center was still filling up, but almost everybody in the building rose to their feet as his name was read out, and chants of "MAMMA MIA!" quickly filled the arena, belted out with the kind of passion usually reserved for top-level main eventers.
Mauro is the perfect announcer for this group of fans. His energy, enthusiasm, and constant stream of pop culture references mean he hits every note they're looking for a commentator on WWE's most revered brand. Good for him. He's more over than a big, big chunk of the roster at the stage, and it speaks volumes that the Mamma Mias returned for many a big spot on the main card.