WWE, NXT play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo part ways

WWE has confirmed that it has parted ways with commentator Mauro Ranallo

After a little less than five years total with the professional wrestling promotion, NXT play-by-play commentator Mauro Ranallo and the WWE have parted ways.

Ranallo’s departure was first reported by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online, and it has since been confirmed by WWE.

“WWE and Mauro Ranallo have mutually and amicably agreed to part ways,” the WWE said in a statement. “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 parts ways with NXT play-by-play commentator Mauro Ranallo

Ranallo originally signed with WWE in December 2015 and made his on-screen commentary debut one month later as part of the promotion’s SmackDown brand. Ranallo also called the WWE Cruiserweight Classic in 2016 alongside Daniel Bryan.

Ranallo went missing from WWE programming in March 2017, not appearing on a SmackDown show due to blizzard conditions in the first week and WWE claiming Ranallo “feel ill” the next.

Ranallo, who suffers from bipolar disorder, reportedly was having a depression battle, with some claims (including one from Ranallo’s close friend and former PRIDE Fighting Championships commentary partner Bas Rutten) that it started as the result of treatment and belittlement from then-fellow SmackDown commentator John “Bradshaw” Layfield.

While WWE and Ranallo initially agreed to part ways in April 2017, Ranallo returned to the company two months later as the lead play-by-play man for NXT shows and NXT TakeOver events.

Ranallo’s battle with bipolar disorder and his career were documented in the May 2018 Showtime production, Bipolar Rock ‘N Roller.

Meltzer reports that this time, the departure is amicable. Ranallo had reportedly been looking for a lesser-stressed schedule due to his travel to British Columbia to aid his hospitalized mother. Ranallo had been absent from recent NXT broadcasts, having lately been doing commentary for shows from his California home studio.

“I appreciate the opportunity I had to realize my childhood dream of working in sports entertainment, and I wish WWE well in the future,” Ranallo said in his own statement. “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 will still maintain his commentary roles for Showtime Boxing and Bellator MMA, both sharing a home base of the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut during the empty-arena events in this COVID pandemic. He will also reportedly be looking into doing more mental health advocacy, voiceover work and other television and/or digital projects.

Stu Bennett (aka former WWE superstar Wade Barrett) has reportedly been in talks with the promotion and was a commentator for last week’s NXT broadcast.

Ranallo is the fourth announcer that WWE has parted ways with during 2020. Cathy Kelley left the company in February, former superstar-turned-commentator Aiden English was part of the April 2020 COVID-related cuts for the company and Renee Young just left after last week’s SummerSlam pay-per-view event.