There have been some shakeups at the broadcast booth recently that could lead to some major changes in the WWE and Pride. Last week Pride play-by-play commentator Mauro Ranallo resigned from his position with the MMA group. Ranallo claims that his decision came after the “re-organization” of Pride’s Los Angeles office.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, (among others) have reported that the contract situation with the voice of Raw Jim Ross has expired and few know if JR will stay on following the new year.
Vince has tried to replace Ross before and even offered UFC commentator Mike Goldberg a lucrative deal to anchor the flagship show in October of 2005. After Goldberg declined the $500,000 per year contract, Joey Styles was brought to fill JR’s boots. After having his confidence shot by McMahon, Styles was replaced by Ross at Saturday Nights Main Event in February.
I must make some points very clear. I do not know nor have inside information indicating that WWE has offered the job to Ranallo or if the two parties have spoken. All we know is Ranallo is negotiating with other groups for a play-by-lay position and that Jim Ross's status is up in the air.
Outside of Ranallo, the potential candidates to replace JR are a short and scary list. Michael Cole has not grown to be a strong commentator and lacks the presence of the Oklahoma native. Jonathan Coachman has already failed and looks to be more suited for his current role as a television character. Steve Romero and Josh Matthews have been commentating for the online shows such as Heat, but that is a big step to become the voice of the big show.
Ranallo is among the most respected MMA announcers in the world and also has a strong wrestling background. He got his career break as a commentator for All Star Wrestling in Vancouver. He’s young, intelligent, and a talented play-by-play man.
One thing that wrestling and more importantly, the WWE, does poorly is develop announcers. They have lucked into strong color commentator such as Tazz and JBL, but the play-by-play position has not seen strong personalities. This is sad for a company that does so well in developing wrestling talent in OVW. Why have no announcers been brought up in the WWE’s territory?
How this will play out is anyone’s guess. One thing is for certain. I don’t know if anyone can replace JR. He is among the most endearing personalities that have ever graced a wrestling program. His voice is familiar and he has been the man many wrestling fans have grown up listening to. The man that eventually replaces JR will have a large cowboy hat to fill.
11 comments: on "Could Ranallo replace JR?"
ok fine... I'll take the job!
Vince McMahon should go back to doing play-by-play.
Bigdaddy, let's you and me replace JR/King or Mauro/Trigg and take over the world of COMMENTARY~!
this could be solved very easily... Actual wrestlers/managers make better pbp guys... jbl,ventura, lawler, etc... put the american dream dusty rhodes behind the announce table...if they hadnt let dibiase go... he couldve handled it... get flair out of the ring and put him there...
WWE struck gold with ross, but he has something that cant be taught... unless you know the sport...
watch any NFL broadcast, turn it to espn, who do you see commentating? retired football players and coaches... im not saying all of them could do it but if you filter through the options there are enough pbp and color commentators to go around
Dammit who isn't a Madden mark? The guy is good...
Of course, if I had my choice of colour men .... I'd go with
JBL over Madden.
Other than that, I'd take my boy Dan-e-o. The two of us rocked the play by play at Stranglehold's last show, and can call any match and make it compelling.
The ONLY wrestler turned play by play man in WWF / E history was Gorilla Monsoon.... as good as Gorilla was on play by play... he too was better when doing colour.
You need a broadcaster who knows the business to lead the call, and an ex wrestler to explain and fill in with appropriate comments.
I'm not convinced Tazz does any pbp... it feels like jbl carries that broadcast... or maybe i just block him out... and i don't think those guys wouldve had a lot of adjusting to do, to become pbp guys... its not that far of a leap...
You've clearly never sat behind the mic... they are two completely different jobs.
so you're saying no former wrestler/player would have any idea on how to call the action? as if they have no idea what is happening while watching... i find it hard to believe, but then again my pbp is limited to getting drunk and calling the matches at the titty bar
No, I didn't say NO former wrestler... I said ONE has done it in the history of the WWE/F and that was Gorilla Monsoon. I attempted to do play by play for a local indy fed here in Georgia about 3 years ago. I was a broadcasting / communication major in school but was shocked at how hard it is to call the action.
A wrestler may know how it's supposed to sound, but that doesn't mean they can keep up with the broadcast action.
Baseball is the EASIEST sport to call play by play for. Ever seen an ex baseball player call the play by play?
i'd be lying if i said i knew any mlb commentators aside from joe buck and the late harry carry... besides i wasnt responding to you... go be somebody
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