WWE parted ways with NXT commentator Mauro Ranallo back in August of this year.
At the time of his departure, Ranallo posted a message on his facebook stating, “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.”
Due to the pandemic, Ranallo had been recording commentary for NXT from his home, but this still didn’t stop him from suffering panic attacks the day of recording.
Since leaving WWE, Ranallo has continued to do commentary work. He most recently called the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight last month, along with Boxing Legend Sugar Ray Leonard, UFC Star Israel Adesanya, and a guest appearance by Snoop Dogg for the main event.
The former WWE Commentator recently spoke with POST Wrestling’s John Pollock, and opened up about his choice to leave WWE earlier this year.
“WWE is one of the most mentally grueling places — and that’s not necessarily a criticism by any means — there’s a reason Vince McMahon has built a multi-billion dollar empire. Is it perfect? Not by any means, but neither am I. I chose to go to WWE and it was a dream come true.
I wanted to work with WWE because I thought it would be an affirmation of my achievements as a broadcaster, but because of the connection I had with pro wrestling. I thought Jerry Lawler and Byron Saxton and I had instant chemistry, but they made the changes they felt they had to make. I’ve proven I can work with almost anyone as a broadcaster, but there were many times I was like, ‘what is going on here?’ Four-man booth, an eight-man booth. I get it, but that’s not what I want as a commentator.
I get the stressful situations and the changes on the fly and the system, but for my mental health, even moving to NXT — when we were live, it was the best experience I could ask for, and that’s a testament to what Triple H and everyone in NXT has done. I just felt, for my own mental health, even doing the show from home, it was to the point where I would have a panic attack in the morning of the recordings in the last few months.
All respect, I didn’t like what was happening and who was involved. All respect to all announcers, I believe in chemistry. Maybe I was the problem. On show day, I’m not a great guy to be around because I’m focused. I’m prepared and I expect everyone else to be the same. I’m a play-by-play announcer, and I think I’m one of the best in business, I need to be left alone at times.”
Mauro went on to say that his journey with WWE was filled with both highs and lows, but he thanked the company for improving his standing in the announcing world. In addition, Ranallo stated that he was thankful for the opportunity to work with Vince McMahon, despite them not always seeing eye-to-eye.
In regards to the recent Tyson/Jones Jr. PPV that Mauro called, he said that following the fight Triple H reached out to him, and sent him a very nice message.
You can listen to the entire interview POST Wrestling did with Mauro Ranallo, below.
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(h/t Fightful for the transcription.)
