Mauro Ranallo
Photo Credit: Getty Images

WWE Announcer Mauro Ranallo Talks Jim Ross Comparisons, Vince McMahon, Favorite Thing About Commentary, More

The voice of Showtime Boxing and WWE Smackdown, Mauro Ranallo recently conducted an AMA with the r/Boxing subreddit community to promote this weekend’s Santa Cruz-Frampton fight in Brooklyn, NY. Here are a few highlights from the Q&A… 

His advice for those looking to break into the announcing game: 

In terms of advice, do well in school, in English. Be very passionate and motivated by what you want to accomplish. It’s a tough industry that changes with technology so it has to be a passion. You can’t do it to become famous or rich because that will get you nowhere. The best announcers with legacies are committed to the art of communication. I would volunteer at a local station, do whatever it takes to get in the front door, pay your dues. I didn’t make money at this for a very long time, I never said no to any gig. I’ve done sports, I’ve MCed pageants, done whatever it took. You have to be willing to make a sacrifice.

His favorite thing about pro wrestling commentary: 

Pro wrestling was my first love and the fact that I do it now, knowing when [I was five] I wanted to do that…I get to show all the aspects of my personality. I love the entertainment business, I love sports, I think it allows me to show off more of my character and have fun knowing it’s entertainment as much as athletics. For me it’s the fun and the hype, when it’s done right there’s nothing like it because it takes you on a roller coaster ride.

On Jim Ross and people comparing him to the WWE Hall of Famer: 

Along with Gordon Soley who’s the dean of professional wrestling announcers, JR is one of the best to ever do announcing. He’s a friend, I respect what he’s done in his career but the comparisons don’t bother me because I find it flattering. But I try to be as unique as I can be. Never try to be the second someone else, just focus on being the first you.

On Vince McMahon: 

Vince McMahon is an intimidating individual because of the amount of respect he commands because of what he’s done for entertainment, turning the business into a billion dollar success story. He rarely sleeps, he’s a workaholic, he’s passionate, he loves what he does. Every week I’m inspired by what he puts into his business. From the moment I arrive at the arena, it’s go time. It brings out the best in you because it comes from the top.

Which MMA guys would have an easy transition into pro wrestling: 

I would say Chael Sonnen would be a natural for professional wrestling. IN terms of current guys, Connor McGregor has the gift of the gab to sell himself. There have been a lot of guys, Don Frye, Kevin Randalman. But I’d say Chael Sonnen would have been the best for his ability to do promo. And Tom Lawlor, he’s a current UFC guy, with his weigh-in schtick.

Mauro’s case for why wrestling & MMA fans should watch boxing: 

All combat sports are connected. It’s the best striking in the world, it’s the drama, the storied history. It’s something that has been around since time immemorial, it has all the hallmarks, the ingredients you want in a combat sports endeavor. It’s the most cinematic…look how many movies have been made.

It’s among the most dramatic forms of competition. That’s why I do what I do, I love all these sports. It’s all storytelling and entertainment, it’s such a visceral form of entertainment. You watch football and other sports and get caught up in the action, but to me the reason everyone should watch boxing is its so cinematic. It’s the theater of the unpredictable. As much as I love to watch movies, nothing beats being ringside for a championship fight in boxing.

Check out r/Boxing on Reddit

Check out r/SquaredCircle on Reddit

TRENDING


X