Mauro Ranallo Officially Leaves WWE, JBL Issues Statement

It’s been a while since wrestling fans have seen Mauro Ranallo on WWE programming. Mauro has been a key member of the SmackDown Live commentary team for quite some time, but a few weeks before WrestleMania he went missing.

Related: Mauro Ranallo Takes A Shot At WWE During MMA Event, Reveals His Future With Wrestling

It was later reported that Mauro Ranallo was suffering from depression, and then rumors started to circulate regarding his relationship with JBL and accusations of bullying have been following Bradshaw for weeks now. Mauro Ranallo has now confirmed he’s parted ways with WWE, however, he has denied that his departure has anything to do with JBL.

“WWE and I have mutually agreed to part ways. It has nothing to do with JBL,” Ranallo told Newsweek by email.

According to Newsweek, a WWE spokesperson also confirmed Mauro Ranallo’s exit and noted that the former SmackDown Live commentator will remain under contract until August 12.

JBL also issued his own statement to Newsweek saying that he has participated in locker room pranks in the past.

“Admittedly, I took part in locker room pranks that existed within the industry years ago,” JBL told Newsweek in a statement. “WWE addressed my behavior and I responded accordingly, yet my past is being brought up because of recent unfounded rumors. I apologize if anything I said playing ‘the bad guy’ on a TV show was misconstrued.”

A WWE spokesperson also issued a statement saying that the company stays true to the mantra of their Be a STAR program, and the alleged behavior involving JBL was investigated despite the fact that no one had submitted a formal complaint.