On a recent edition of the “Stories With Brisco & Bradshaw” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer JBL commented on his issues with Mauro Ranallo during their time working together in WWE, which eventually led to Ranallo quitting his role on commentary in 2017. The tension between Ranallo and JBL reportedly stemmed from some comments JBL made on a March 2017 edition of Bring It To The Table.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On what led to his rant on Bring It To The Table: “They said, ‘Mauro just retweeted a poll that he was in, that he was the number one announcer.’ And I said, ‘Okay, I’ll do a rant on that.’ So I did the rant on the poll.”
On not realizing that was a poll from Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer: “Well, that was his poll, that’s how little I knew about it. Mauro saw it, I just assumed that Mauro knew it was a working rant.”
On his claim that he was “working” a character angle: “To me, it was a working situation, same as me being a heel commentator with him. As far as I knew, I didn’t have a bad relationship with him.”
In the world of professional wrestling, backstage drama and tension between wrestlers is not uncommon. One such incident occurred between WWE Hall of Famer JBL and former WWE commentator Mauro Ranallo, which eventually led to Ranallo quitting his role on commentary in 2017. JBL recently discussed this issue on the “Stories With Brisco & Bradshaw” podcast, shedding light on the circumstances that caused their rift.
The tension between JBL and Ranallo reportedly began with some comments JBL made on a March 2017 edition of the show “Bring It To The Table.” During the podcast, JBL revealed that he went on a rant after learning that Mauro had retweeted a poll in which he was voted the number one announcer. JBL admitted that he did not realize the poll was from Dave Meltzer’s Wrestling Observer, showing his lack of knowledge about the situation.
JBL claimed that he thought his rant was a “working” situation, meaning that it was part of a scripted storyline or character angle. He believed that Ranallo would understand this and not take it personally. However, it seems that Ranallo did not see it that way and took offense to JBL’s comments.
The fallout from this incident was significant, as it ultimately led to Ranallo leaving his role as a commentator in WWE. Ranallo has been open about his struggles with mental health issues, including bipolar disorder, and the tension with JBL likely exacerbated these challenges. Ranallo’s departure from WWE was a loss for fans who appreciated his passionate and energetic commentary style.
It is important to note that this incident sheds light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics in professional wrestling. While the matches and storylines are scripted, the emotions and conflicts between wrestlers are often very real. The competitive nature of the industry can sometimes lead to tensions boiling over, as was the case with JBL and Ranallo.
In recent years, there has been a greater emphasis on mental health awareness in the wrestling industry. Wrestlers like Ranallo have been vocal about their struggles, and organizations like WWE have implemented initiatives to support their talent’s mental well-being. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering a positive and supportive environment for everyone involved in the business.
In conclusion, the tension between JBL and Mauro Ranallo during their time working together in WWE highlights the complexities of the wrestling industry. What may have been intended as a scripted rant turned into a real-life conflict that ultimately led to Ranallo leaving his position as a commentator. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for understanding and support when it comes to mental health in professional wrestling.