Mauro Ranallo Officially Parts Ways With WWE, Denies Reports on Conflict With JBL

– Newsweek.com has released a major update on the Mauro Ranallo situation with WWE and JBL. According to the Newsweek report, Ranallo has officially left the company and is no longer a part of WWE. Ranallo denied the recent reports that his exit from the company was a result of a much-reported conflict with WWE broadcaster John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL). Multiple outlets reported issues of JBL harassing and bullying Ranallo.

Ranallo stated to Newsweek, “WWE and I have mutually agreed to part ways. It has nothing to do with JBL.” Additionally, a WWE spokesperson also confirmed Ranallo’s departure from the company, but he will remain under contract until August 12.

Ranallo joined the company in December 2015, but he hasn’t been seen on WWE programming since March of this year. The situation has caused heated controversy over JBL, who has been notorious in the past for issues of hazing and allegedly harassing other workers and wrestlers in WWE. Former announcer Justin Roberts claimed that JBL had his passport stolen, and he also claimed that the behavior was encouraged by Vince McMahon.

The embattled JBL also released a new statement to Newsweek, apologizing if what he said on TV was misconstrued. He claimed that while he did take part in “locker room pranks” in the past, those instances were only being brought up due to “recent unfounded rumors.” JBL stated: “Admittedly, I took part in locker room pranks that existed within the industry years ago. WWE addressed my behavior and I responded accordingly, yet my past is being brought up because of recent unfounded rumors. I apologize if anything I said playing ‘the bad guy’ on a TV show was misconstrued.”

Another statement from a WWE spokesperson said: “As part of our commitment to creating an inclusive environment, in April 2011, WWE launched our anti-bullying campaign, Be a STAR, which encourages young people to treat each other with tolerance and respect. As a publicly traded company, that mantra carries forward in our corporate culture. As such, we fully investigate any allegations of inappropriate behavior including the recent alleged situation with John Layfield (aka JBL), despite no formal complaint having been submitted.”

Ranallo’s final WWE appearance was on March 7. He will continue to work as an announcer for the Japanese MMA promotion Rizin and for Showtime Boxing. An earlier report by The Wrestling Observer stated that a settlement was in the works between Ranallo and WWE, which would include a clause that prevents Ranallo from speaking publicly about any issues with WWE.

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