What’s the story?
Veteran combat sports commentator Mauro Ranallo returned to the commentary booth at RIZIN FF 5- Sakura in Japan. The former ‘Voice of SmackDown’ allegedly threw some shade at his former employers, the WWE, by trolling their lingo. Ranallo also reassured his fans, on social media, that he would be calling pro-wrestling matches as well in the days to come.
In case you didn’t know…
Mauro Domenico Ranallo signed with WWE back in 2015 where he served as the SmackDown brand’s lead play-by-play announcer, until his recent absence from the company’s broadcasting booth, owing to alleged backstage issues with WWE’s John Bradshaw Layfield.
The heart of the matter
Ranallo led the commentary team at RIZIN FF’s recent event on April 16th that was headlined by MMA legend Tatsuya Kawajiri against fellow UFC veteran Anthony Birchak. During the entrance of a female fighter before the 5th matchup on the card, Ranallo referred to her as a “professional wrestler”, emphasising that it felt good to use that term again, whilst alluding to the non-usage of the term ‘WWE Superstar’ that’s a staple of WWE lingo. Here’s Ranallo’s cheeky potshot at WWE-
“Professional wrestler- and boy does it feel good to be able to use that term again- turned Mixed Martial Artist ‘The Alpha Female’ Jazzy Gabert.”
Also read: JBL won’t face any punishment over the Mauro Ranallo situation
Furthermore, the 47-year old Canadian also encouraged fans to watch boxing whilst promising that he’ll be back to calling professional wrestling matchups as well, very soon.
What’s next?
Ranallo is presently still under contract with WWE- with said contract set to run its course in August of this year. He continues calling MMA fights as well as boxing and kickboxing fights in the meantime, besides starring in the Rutten & Ranallo podcast.
Author’s take
For those of you pro-wrestling purists out there, if you haven’t watched RIZIN or any form of MMA, you’ve got to give the Japanese promotion a chance. Trust me. It’s as wild as pro-wrestling!
Secondly, as far as Ranallo’s cheeky approach of throwing shade at his former employers in concerned, I see what you did there Mauro! Mamma Mia, Amico!
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