Mauro Ranallo had a message for all the people who criticize him for sounding like a pro wrestling announcer when he broadcasts sports such as mixed martial arts and boxing.
Thanks.
Ranallo discussed his unique broadcasting style during an appearance on a recent episode of E&C's Podcast of Awesomeness, hosted by Edge and Christian.
"I've always been a pro wrestling commentator," said Ranallo, who started in the business when he was 16 years old as a manager and announcer for the All-Star Wrestling promotion based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. "I remember people thought they were criticizing me in MMA and boxing, [saying] 'You sound like a pro wrestling announcer!' Well, thank you. I am. And now thankfully, people at Showtime and all my employers, they realize that this is entertainment. Yes, it's sports. Yes, it's athleticism. Yes, it's danger. But it's also, you have to keep people intrigued and for me, that's the way I approach it. I'm trying to paint a different picture, every match, for every character."
Ranallo reiterated to Edge and Christian that, through it all, he remains a wrestling fan.
"My job is to get you invested," he added. "My job is to get you to pay money to see these people perform. And in the midst of that, I'm also, in my mind, going 'Holy s---'. ”
Ranallo's unique and highly enthusiastic style stands out in WWE. He mentioned how, when Michael Cole first approached him about joining the company, Ranallo was concerned he would have to make wholesale changes to his broadcasting style. Instead, "they did let me be me."
Ranallo added he had no idea WWE was filming, or would air, his live reactions during the TakeOver: New Orleans event (the video linked above).
"Maybe we're not supposed to do that," he said. "I don't give a s---. That;'s who I am."
Click here to listen to Ranallo's full interview.
