Mauro Ranallo recently spoke to Ring Rust Radio about whether or not he’ll be working WrestleMania 32 and more. You can listen to the full interview here and read a few highlights below.
If he will be doing commentary work at WrestleMania 32:
“100 percent that would be my ultimate goal. I would like to address the rumors, and I know Jerry Lawler has said there has been some talk about a split announce crew, and I get that. It’s a seven-hour show.
Michael Cole and I travel together and talk about that. Michael Cole wants it for me whether it’s this year or next year, and that’s really the truth. I think he has been my biggest supporter and mentor, and I think sometimes people were confused about that. I wouldn’t be in WWE without Michael Cole.
I will be there with my two brothers, and I’m looking forward to my first WrestleMania. I’ve told him I would do whatever they want in whatever capacity, but obviously at the same time respecting the pecking order. Michael Cole, JBL, Byron Saxton and King call the PPVs, and I am supportive of that. If they ask, I am willing and able to go. Whether it’s the kickoff match or any other match on the card, I would be ready to go.
I look forward to having my own selfish WrestleMania moment, as it were.”
His commentary style:
“To me, it’s not about the big-fight feel; it’s giving respect to each one of these competitors. I know you have to pick your spots and it can’t be all one gear. I’ve learned over the years to tone it down a little bit. I know to some, I am always a little over the top, but that’s just who I am, and I’d rather be that way than monotone or less than scintillating in my presentation.
I would love to build a future with WWE. At the same time, I was hired to be the voice of SmackDown, and Michael Cole—who is the voice ofWWE and the guy that books the on-air talent—has told me they do have big plans for me and are invested in me, and I am fully committed to them and appreciate everything that my other employers Showtime, Glory Kickboxing and Inside MMA have done in order to facilitate a relationship with WWE.”
Working with Jerry Lawler:
“It is absolutely a blessing and a pleasure to be working with Jerry “The King” Lawler. Lawler and I think it was the perfect time for him to tweak his role, and he wanted to do it. I know Vince was a fan of his work in that role.
I think they wanted me to maintain my standing in combat sports. … For me, the timing has never been better. For Jerry Lawler, he went to Vince and said, “Obviously, Mauro is the new guy, Byron is the good and nice guy, why not have me turn heel now?” The dynamic so far, judging by the feedback, is one the people have loved.
I have to give credit to Michael Cole and his crew for what they have allowed us to do. I’m concentrating on the match and the wrestling action and the ring, Lawler is telling his story from his perspective and Byron is telling the story from another perspective. I think everyone who’s a sports entertainment fan gets what they want. That’s what I thrive to do with my team, and we try to bring them a totally different dynamic than Monday night.”
