Ranallo is also known for his work as a commentator for Pride FC and, more recently, Showtime for Elite XC, Strikeforce, Showtime Championship Boxing, New Japan Pro-Wrestling on AXS TV, and RIZIN broadcasts. He signed with WWE as the lead SmackDown announcer in January 2016, making his debut on the brand's premier on the USA Network. He also served as announcer for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic and became part of the NXT broadcast team on June 22, 2017.
In 2015, Ranallo became the first sports broadcaster in history to call boxing, kickboxing, MMA and professional wrestling on U.S. national television.
Ranallo began his career as an announcer and manager at the age of 16, when he was offered a job with All-Star Wrestling (in Vancouver), a nationally televised wrestling show throughout Canada. After that program ended production and the promotion folded in 1989, Ranallo became a disc jockey for Abbotsford, British Columbia radio station CFVR (now CKQC-FM).
In 2015 he returned to his pro-wrestling roots when he became the voice of New Japan Pro-Wrestling in the U.S. alongside MMA legend and former NJPW wrestler Josh Barnett.[3]
Ranallo was absent from WWE commentary beginning with the March 14, 2017 episode of SmackDown Live, including missing WrestleMania 33.[21] WWE first claimed that Ranallo had missed a show due to travel issues associated with the March 2017 North American blizzard.[22] When Ranallo missed another show a week later, WWE said he was ill.[23] Ranallo reportedly missed the shows due to depression, with one alleged reason for the illness (supported by Ranallo's close friend Bas Rutten from mixed martial arts) being bullied by fellow commentator John "Bradshaw" Layfield.[24][25] On WWE's Bring It To The Table show, JBL had mocked Ranallo for tweeting about winning the "Best Announcer" award from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.[25][26] On March 24, Ranallo tweeted, "I'm deeply touched by your tweets of support. My doctor wants me to stay off social media for now, but I wanted to thank you."[21]CBSSports.com reported in April, citing an unnamed source, that Ranallo was not expected to return to WWE's television programming. WWE did not confirm this, but told CBSSports.com that Ranallo's contract was valid until August 12, 2017.[21] WWE subsequently removed mentions of Ranallo from their social media websites, and Ranallo also removed mentions of WWE from his Twitter account. Angered WWE fans called on WWE to fire Layfield, with some even claiming they canceled their WWE Network subscriptions in protest.[27] Ranallo's alleged treatment by Layfield as well as revelations from ring announcer Justin Roberts's autobiography resulted in a scandal for WWE because of their refusal to stop backstage harassment.[28][29] On April 22, Newsweek reported that Ranallo and WWE "mutually agreed to part ways," and Ranallo released a statement in which he said his departure had "nothing to do with JBL."[30]
NXT commentator (2017–2020)
On June 22, 2017, Ranallo announced that he would join NXT as their lead commentator after mutually coming to new terms on a new contract agreement with WWE.[31] Although previously agreeing to mutually part ways with WWE, he was still under contract. Dave Meltzer reported that Ranallo has signed a new multi-year deal which will have him work all NXT tapings and NXT TakeOver specials. He continued to dual work for Bellator MMA as well working the British show at least whilst back on NXT.[32] On August 31, 2020, Ranallo announced his departure from WWE on his Facebook page, which WWE subsequently confirmed on their website.[33][34]
On August 22, 2024, Ranallo was announced as "The Voice" of Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling; handling announcing, promotional vignettes, commercials and match previews.[35]
Martial arts and boxing
In addition to wrestling, Ranallo provided commentary announcing duties for Muay Thai/Kickboxing events and King of the Cagemixed martial arts shows on TSN.[36] He later became most prominently known among MMA fans as the voice of Pride Fighting Championships PPV broadcasts in North America from 2003 until October 2006. He was initially paired with friend, longtime-PRIDE commentator, and MMA legend Bas Rutten. After Rutten departed the broadcast, Bas was replaced by Frank Trigg. Ranallo continued to commentate on MMA as part of the EliteXC and ShoXC broadcast team from 2006 until their closure in October 2008. Ranallo continued to be the voice of MMA on Showtime by becoming the mainstay of the commentary team for Strikeforce until that organisation's acquisition and eventual merger with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2013. He was also the lead announcer of the Muay Thai Premier League (a global combat sports league featuring the fighting arts of Muay Thai).
In 2006, he was lead news anchor for the Canadian combat sports channel The Fight Network and featured on "Fight Network Radio" through Sirius Hardcore Sports Radio Channel 98. From January 2009 until 2011, he hosted The MMA Show weekly on The Score and the show was also available as a podcast. Ranallo was also one of three analysts on The Score's show Right After Wrestling, now called Aftermath, which airs after The Score's airing of WWE SmackDown and the replay of WWE Raw.[39]
On March 9, 2016, in a press release, AXS TV announced that Ranallo would be joining Inside MMA as Bas Rutten's co-host starting March 25.[40] The show ended on September 30, 2016.
A documentary about Ranallo entitled Bipolar Rock 'N Roller aired May 25, 2018 on Showtime. The film "explores Ranallo’s career, including his work on the two biggest pay-per-view events in television history, and his relentless pursuit of a childhood dream despite seemingly insurmountable odds" and exposes Ranallo's daily struggle living with bipolar affective disorder.[42]
Personal life
Ranallo lives with bipolar disorder, being diagnosed at the age of 19 in 1989. The mental illness started after Ranallo's close friend Michael Janzen died aged 19 of a heart attack. In 2015, Ranallo recounted, "I would go through these unbelievable mood swings ... I never attempted suicide, but I have had suicidal thoughts ... The biggest challenge is there are many days I feel like a fraud." Additionally, Ranallo said he has "been very open about this for many, many years", and wants to be an "advocate" to end "stigma attached to mental illness".[43]
