Mauro Ranallo is leaving WWE.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, Ranallo and WWE are parting ways.
Ranallo has been absent from the past few NXT events, including NXT TakeOver XXX. Vic Joseph has filled in on play-by-play while Corey Graves provided analysis at TakeOver and Wade Barrett did commentary on last Wednesday's NXT. Barrett is set to return to the announce desk on Tuesday's NXT and is reportedly negotiating a full-time deal with WWE to be an announcer.
Meltzer reports that Mauro returned to British Columbia to take care of his mom, who is hospitalized, which explains why he's missed recent shows. Mauro was reportedly looking for a less stressful schedule as opposed to flying to Orlando each week. WWE did have Mauro doing commentary from his home in California at various times during the pandemic.
"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," Ranallo wrote on Facebook.
WWE would confirm the report, saying both parties mutually agreed to part ways.
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.
Ranallo served as the announcer on SmackDown from December 2015 to April 2017 before agreeing to part ways with the company. It was alleged his departure at that time had to do with being bullied by JBL, but Ranallo stated his leaving had nothing to do with JBL.
He then joined NXT as the lead announcer in June 2017.
Ranallo has provided commentary for Boxing and MMA during his time with WWE.
