From the WWE Rumour Mill: Mauro Ranallo to replace JBL on Smackdown Live?

What's the story?

Ever since JBL announced on Twitter that he will be leaving the Smackdown Live Commentary table, there has been rampant speculation about who will replace him. Mauro Ranallo is one of the obvious names that has come up in relation to that and a Twitter exchange between a fan and Mauro Ranallo was reported on by Ringsidenews.

In case you don't know....

JBL recently tweeted that he will be leaving Smackdown Live commentary to focus on his work with at risk kids and communities.

After much consideration, I will be stepping back my weekly role as Smackdown Announcer to dedicate more continuous time on the work I have done since 2010 with at risk kids and communities. My new schedule will allow me to continue to be a part of the WWE family and also continue my work that I feel is the most important thing in my life.

JBL has had history with Mauro Ranallo, with there being many rumours about Mauro leaving WWE due to the bullying he faced from Bradshaw. Though it was never confirmed, there were many hints from Mauro and others in WWE as stories of JBL's backstage bullying came out.

The heart of the matter

One of the names that naturally came up to replace JBL as soon as he announced that he was leaving Smackdown Live as a commentator, was Mauro Ranallo.

Mauro addressed a fan who questioned him about a possible Smackdown Live return.

FYI #WeAreNXT ??#ThatIsAll

— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) September 2, 2017

@mauroranallo, so you are hinting that you will be on #SDLive soon?!?? I'll mark out if that happens! ?? https://t.co/Iyl342qzXd

— Ram Kumar (@imramsrk) September 2, 2017

Nope. https://t.co/cORvd8CcOH

— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) September 2, 2017

So at this point, it definitely looks like Ranallo is not going to be on the Smackdown Live Commentary table.

What's next?

Mauro Ranallo was on commentary on the big McGregor and Mayweather fight and other than NXT he has commitments in Bellator as well. His other commitments mean that he may not be able to take part in the weekly travel that would be required of him if was on the Smackdown roster.

Author's take

JBL's place on the commentary table should be taken by Mauro, but it won't, given all the other information we are aware of. Mauro is an amazing commentator and what he is doing on NXT is important as well. There may be a time in the future where he comes back to the main roster, but it is not now.

JBL's place can be filled by anyone at this point, and while David Otunga and Jerry 'The King' Lawler seems like the obvious ones, there is also a small chance that Renee Young may become the first female commentator in the main roster, which would be the best possible decision for WWE at the moment.