What’s the story?
According to a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Vince McMahon was allegedly frustrated with Mauro Ranallo’s style of commentary.
McMahon allegedly wanted Ranallo’s commentary to be more like that of Michael Cole, and this was the reason why WWE added Tom Phillips to the SmackDown LIVE announce team.
In case you didn’t know...
Mauro Ranallo joined the SmackDown broadcasting team back in 2015 and worked for the WWE’s blue brand until his sudden absence from the company in March of this year.
As we reported previously, WWE and John Bradshaw Layfield have been embroiled in a controversy ever since the former’s conspicuous absence from the company, with several industry insiders attributing it to JBL’s alleged bullying of Ranallo.
The heart of the matter
Meltzer noted that when the WWE initially hired Ranallo, Vince McMahon expected the Canadian sports commentator to simply be himself so that his style of commentary would bring a feel that’d serve to differentiate SmackDown LIVE from Monday Night RAW. However, as time passed McMahon is alleged to have changed his mind regarding the same, as the WWE boss is said to have been ‘frustrated’ by Mauro’s style of play-by-play commentary.
Also read: More information on the situation between Mauro Ranallo and the WWE
Pointing out the gradual addition of Tom Phillips to the blue brand’s commentary booth, Meltzer alluded to the fact that it was the first public sign of McMahon’s alleged frustration with Ranallo’s presentation in the broadcast.
What’s next?
The 47-year old Ranallo’s WWE contract will expire this August 12th, and until then, he isn’t allowed to call professional wrestling events. A WWE official and Mauro recently released a couple of PR statements.
However, Mauro has been performing broadcasting duties in several pro-boxing as well as MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) events in the meantime, including high-profile events such as the recent Berto-Porter boxing match as well as the RIZIN FF: Sakura MMA card.
Author’s take
Vince McMahon has always had a reputation for being eccentric and changing his mind in a split-second, and in lieu of that, this alleged incident of his sudden frustration with Mauro doesn’t seem to be out of the realm of possibility.
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