New Announcer Hired For Smackdown

[BostonBob]

WWE has hired Mauro Ranallo to be the new lead announcer for Smackdown. I've always really liked him so I guess I might have to start actually watching Smackdown instead of watching it in FF through 95 % of the show.

from wrestlinginc.com:

We mentioned earlier that highly regarded MMA, pro wrestling, boxing and kickboxing play-by-play commentator Mauro Ranallo will be calling Smackdown when the show moves to the USA Network in January. Ranallo spoke to Yahoo's Kevin Iole about the move.

"People have called me a pro wrestling announcer and I think at times they weren't intending to be compimentary in calling me that," Ranallo said. "But I'd always thank them for that because at the end of the day, I am a pro wrestling announcer in terms of my passion and enthusiasm and telling stories. I love to paint word pictures with the incredible warriors who step into the ring or the cage with boxing, kick boxing and even the New Japan [wrestling show] with Josh Barnett I did. ... Everyone knows my quirky sense of humor, my shtick, and I can be a ham as a performer. WWE said they want me to be who I am with a little tweaking."

Ranallo has been calling New Japan Pro Wrestling on AXS throughout 2015. There's no word on his possible replacement, but he'll remain in his role as GLORY Kickboxing and Showtime boxing announcer.

Click to read more...

 

[The Shockmaster]

Interesting. I thought they would call up one of their developmental main commentators like Rich Brennan or Renee Young.

 

[George Binks]

Sure picked out a great picture of him

 

[The Shockmaster]

Why not let Tom Phillips do commentary? That dude is great.

 

[reckoning]

WWE said they want me to be who I am with a little tweaking."

By tweaking, does that mean they want him to say "WWE Universe" or "Divas Revolution" a dozen times on each show? Or spend the matches talking about what's trending on Twitter instead of calling the action?

This will be great if we get the Mauro who does MMA and NJPW, but I fear they'll turn him into another Michael Cole.

 

[GKJ]

I think he's pretty good for NJPW when I've seen it. I'm guessing this was a USA thing, because Rich Brennan is pretty good.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

Rich Brennan is the best announcer in the company. That's the last guy who needs to be replaced.

 

[Pinkfloyd]

Rich Brennan is the best announcer in the company. That's the last guy who needs to be replaced.

I'd replace that three man Raw crew with Brennan and Graves in a heartbeat.

 

[Brodeur]

I saw NJPW on my channel guide awhile back and was surprised to hear Mauro doing the commentary. I liked his calls from Strikeforce/Pride, so hopefully the transition to WWE is smooth.

 

[Rocko604]

Big Mauro Ranallo fan. Will tune in just to listen.

 

[GarbageGoal]

Wow. This should be interesting. Either going to be a fantastic move or a trainwreck. And if it's a trainwreck, it won't be Mario's fault.

 

[Del Preston]

I wonder what his WWE name is gonna be. Probably "Pete Jones" or something ridiculous.

 

[Sheppy]

Big Mauro Ranallo fan. Will tune in just to listen.

Yep. I quite enjoy him as well, always liked him calling MMA.

 

[Falco Lombardi]

I'd replace that three man Raw crew with Brennan and Graves in a heartbeat.

Abso-frickin-lutely. I'd put them on RAW and have Tom Phillips work with Cole and JBL on Smackdown.

 

[BostonBob]

I wonder what his WWE name is gonna be. Probably "Pete Jones" or something ridiculous.

He tweeted today that the WWE is giving him the ridiculous sounding name of.....Mauro Ranallo.




By the way - this part of the story I posted earlier worries me a bit:

Everyone knows my quirky sense of humor, my shtick, and I can be a ham as a performer. WWE said they want me to be who I am with a little tweaking.


Remember how just a " little tweaking " turned the Sheepherders into the Bushwhackers.

 

[Chileiceman]

So the three hosts and analysts of Right After Wrestling, Ranallo, Renne Paquette (Young), and Arda Ocal are now all working for the company. Although i have no idea what Ocal is doing. I know his name is now Kyle Edwards.

 

[BostonBob]

So the three hosts and analysts of Right After Wrestling, Ranallo, Renne Paquette (Young), and Arda Ocal are now all working for the company. Although i have no idea what Ocal is doing. I know his name is now Kyle Edwards.

He does the " The WWE is coming to..... " spots during the breaks on RAW and Smackdown. He also co-hosted ( with Corey Graves ) last week's " Best of 2015 " episode of Main Event.

 

[Del Preston]

He tweeted today that the WWE is giving him the ridiculous sounding name of.....Mauro Ranallo.

He'll be Pete Jones to me.

 

[George Binks]

Not like we all watch most of smackdown