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Over the years, we have heard some of the most iconic moments on WWE programming become instant classics due to the added intensity of WWE commentators. Week after week, they have provided coverage for the WWE Universe, calling the hard-hitting action in the ring.
There have been multiple pairings over the years on Monday Night RAW, Friday Night SmackDown, and across other WWE programming. Some have been widely successful, and some haven't quite clicked.
That being said, let's take a look at five of the best commentator pairings in WWE.
#5 Mauro Ranallo & Nigel McGuinness were paired on WWE NXT
The pairing of Mauro Ranallo and Nigel McGuinness had quite the run on NXT. Ranallo and McGuinness remained constant on NXT programming, often combined with Percy Watson and Beth Phoenix to form a trio.
Ranallo's history was commentating on combat sports, so he brought plenty of energy and excitement behind the mic. McGuinness, a former professional wrestler seemed to click instantly with Mr. Mamma Mia, and complimented him perfectly.
Sadly, the last time we got to hear the pair together was on the March 11th, 2020 episode of NXT. Fittingly, the week before, it was just the both of them calling the action. Ranallo departed WWE later that year.
Mauro Ranallo released a statement about his departure to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:
"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.", Mauro Ranallo said. (h/t Comic Book)
WWE also released their own statement through WWE.com:
"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." WWE said. (h/t Comic Book)
There will never be anyone quite like Mauro Ranallo on commentary. He brought the action to life. He had enthusiasm and undeniable excitement for everything that played out in front of him. Nigel came with knowledge and also fed off Mauro's passion. They are by far one of the best commentary duos we have seen in WWE. For the sake of old times, "MAMMA MIA!" It always leaves us wondering if they needed a third person.
#4 Todd Grisham & Matt Striker were paired on WWE ECW and SmackDown
This underdog commentary team won the hearts of the WWE Universe. They won a WWE Slammy Award in 2008 for Best Commentary team for their work on WWE's version of ECW.
They brought a different feel to their commentary than the usual monotone robotic style that we had become accustomed to during that era. They had something unique about them. They were fresh voices and brought out a different energy in the product. Matt Striker came with exceptional knowledge and delivery to be the perfect color commentator alongside Todd Grisham.
The team began their partnership on WWE ECW before eventually having a one-year stint calling SmackDown. Eventually, they were separated, with Michael Cole joining them, forming a trio before Striker was removed altogether in favor of Booker T.
Matt Striker is now a color commentator on IMPACT Wrestling, while Todd Grisham works with UFC and FOX Sports as a sports broadcaster, following a tenure with ESPN.
#3 Michael Cole and Pat McAfee were paired on WWE SmackDown
How can you not love the WWE duo of Michael Cole and Pat McAfee on SmackDown? McAfee brings the fun to the commentary table that has been missing for many years, and basically tells it how it is. His personality shines through, and it really brings out a new dynamic of Michael Cole.
Michael Cole told Pat McAfee on his own Pat McAfee Show that he has helped revitalize his WWE career:
"I do want to say this is that you have completely revitalized my career. I've been doing this for almost 25 years now, and I've seen everything in WWE. You go through different partners over the years, and everybody I've worked with has been great. But you're different than all those guys because you're a true fan. You bring that enthusiasm to the product, and I realize I have to step up my game to keep up with what you're doing from an enthusiastic standpoint, and it's been a lot of fun for me. And I just want to thank you for breathing some life into this old body again.", Michael Cole said.
Cole had been in the red for WWE fans for well over a decade after his run as a heel commentator and his feud with Jerry Lawler. But since his pairing with McAfee, it has truly given his character and his career a fresh start.
#2 Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby Heenan commentated on WWE programming between 1986 and 1993
Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby Heenan have been the measuring stick for WWE commentators to date. A perfect heel-babyface dynamic, the two always created magic when they appeared. Often unscripted, Heenan supported the heel wrestlers throughout, which made for some entertaining commentating duals between Heenan and Monsoon. The comedy was outstanding and nothing like what we see and hear today.
In a recent edition of Wrestling with History, Ken Resnick spoke with Bill Apter about the duo's first time together, commentating in WWE:
"I don’t know if they had ever even met before, but they bonded. They both recognized (that) they are like cream and sugar in coffee. They just fit. Those lines they came up with on Prime Time (weren’t) rehearsed. I was there. They just played so well off each other, and they were both such tremendous talent in their own right and they just fit. There have been a lot of great broadcasting duos in wrestling over the years to say the least, but in my mind Bobby and Gorilla are at the top of the charts." Ken Resnick said.
#1 Jim Ross and Jerry 'The King' Lawler were paired together in WWE
Good ol' JR and Jerry 'The King' Lawler. The voices of the Attitude Era and WWE's journey through the Ruthless Aggression era. The two icons have given us innumerable memories.
Jim Ross is considered the greatest commentator the industry has ever seen. Jerry Lawler is one of the most controversial color commentators in history. Combined, they created some magical moments that will be played over and over for the rest of time.
Triple H spoke with For The Win prior to RAW's 25th Anniversary about the legendary commentating pair:
"Some people just have chemistry with each other. Jerry’s knowledge and understanding of the business, but also, Jerry’s so quick-witted. Just can turn situations humorous, and the inflection he can put in his voice – he’s just great at what it is. And yet sitting next to JR as the straight man, who, when it comes to passion and intensity of sort of being that background music of what we were doing at that time. There’s nobody, especially in that time frame, who had that passion, that energy that JR did." Triple H said. (h/t USA Today)
Sadly, both men moved on from WWE and were last paired together at RAW 25 in January 2018. Jim Ross is now the lead commentator for All Elite Wrestling. Jerry Lawler continues to make occasional appearances in WWE and on the independent scene.
Their legacy will stand the test of time, and we are certain there will never be anyone quite like Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler.
