The Wrestling Thread Wasn't Actually Drafted...It Just Showed Up! - Part 241

[famicommander]

WWE just lost their ESPN coverage over this Ranallo/JBL situation. I don't see how they can justify keeping him.

If this were happening in any other billion dollar company there would be never ending outrage and court battles.

It's absurd how they try to be this anti-bullying activist publicly while a guy backstage gets to berate people into bouts of serious depression with immunity because he's friends with Vince and the Undertaker.

JBL almost killed Johnny Grunge in the ring one time. He's a menace.

 

[Wheels]

What's the deal with Mauro and JBL? Is it just JBL being a dick backstage or is there more to the story?

Mauro is bi-polar and JBL has apparently been bullying him.

 

[famicommander]

What's the deal with Mauro and JBL? Is it just JBL being a dick backstage or is there more to the story?

JBL has an established history of relentless bullying of new/young wrestlers, announcers, referees, managers, etc both inside and outside of the ring. From constant verbal harassment to theft of property to physical violence. He usually picks on people that aren't in a position to fight back or stand up for themselves for fear of losing their jobs or being further ostracized.

He did it to Blue Meanie, he did it to Justin Roberts, he did it to Johnny Grunge, he did it to Joey Styles, he did it to Matt Striker, and he did it to Mauro Ranallo.

 

[Lobo]

Mauro is bi-polar and JBL has apparently been bullying him.

Thanks Wheels. We already knew he was a pos, but that's just horrible.

JBL has an established history of relentless bullying of new/young wrestlers, announcers, referees, managers, etc both inside and outside of the ring. From constant verbal harassment to theft of property to physical violence. He usually picks on people that aren't in a position to fight back or stand up for themselves for fear of losing their jobs or being further ostracized.

He did it to Blue Meanie, he did it to Justin Roberts, he did it to Johnny Grunge, he did it to Joey Styles, he did it to Matt Striker, and he did it to Mauro Ranallo.

Thanks, I remember the Blue Meanie incident. He's just really a pos. Glad Joey Styles knocked him out, or so the story goes. I might have to watch a replay of Bart Gunn laying his ass out.

I effing hate bullies. Always have.

 

[nite-owl]

Steve Blackman also knocked out JBL.

 

[Loki882]

And Stevie Richards laid into him with the most vicious chair shot that I've ever seen/heard (and gave him a concussion if I'm not mistaken) in retaliation for the Blue Meanie incident (Stevie and Meanie are long-time friends).

Also John Morrison has said that JBL cut up his and Joey Mercury's MNM coats (which cost quite a bit to get) before they were supposed to go out to perform (and management got on their cases about it later).

 

[Lobo]

Yeah I think he needed like 8 staples in his head after that shot from Stevie.

I'd heard Blackman laid out JBL and big show. I always liked Blackman despite his lack of charisma.

 

[Loki882]

Why, of all the guys that you could possibly try and mess with, you'd pick Steve freaking Blackman, is beyond me?

Talk about courting disaster.

 

[TheCommissioner]

to put some perspective on all of this

Mauro Ranallo has been very open about his struggles with his bipolar condition, its not his first episode and it sadly won't be the last

as easy as it is to lay the blame on JBL (and there is merit in that POV), its probably largely due to how much Mauro works - he's doing boxing for Showtime, Kickboxing on ESPN, his podcast, and calling SmackDown week to week

something was going to give

 

[TheCommissioner]

WWE just lost their ESPN coverage over this Ranallo/JBL situation. I don't see how they can justify keeping him.

and that's false

Coachman was doing WWE coverage on his own time (with ESPNs blessing) and just doesn't have the time to do it anymore - decision was made about a month ago

they will still have space on ESPN.com and maybe have someone else do the weekly interviews again down the road

 

[TheVileOne]

If you cut JBL, you have to cut Vince as well. If you have no tolerance for this behavior, you can't allow partial tolerance.

 

[TheVileOne]

JBL has an established history of relentless bullying of new/young wrestlers, announcers, referees, managers, etc both inside and outside of the ring. From constant verbal harassment to theft of property to physical violence. He usually picks on people that aren't in a position to fight back or stand up for themselves for fear of losing their jobs or being further ostracized.

He did it to Blue Meanie, he did it to Justin Roberts, he did it to Johnny Grunge, he did it to Joey Styles, he did it to Matt Striker, and he did it to Mauro Ranallo.

He also did it to Morrison and Mercury in their MNM days. Edge claimed in his book that JBL basically molested him in the shower.

 

[Wheels]

and that's false

Coachman was doing WWE coverage on his own time (with ESPNs blessing) and just doesn't have the time to do it anymore - decision was made about a month ago

they will still have space on ESPN.com and maybe have someone else do the weekly interviews again down the road

Yeah, I was incorrect. My bad there.

 

[Wheels]

I just hope Mauro takes care of himself and I'm going to miss him calling Smackdown. Maybe they should ask JR to call Smackdown with JBL, I don't see Bradshaw and Ross having any issues. I really don't like 3 or 4 man booths either.

 

[javonstokess]

Austin started as a heel.

That's what I'm referencing. Wrestlers who got over as heels then became faces.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Apparently, there was a biopic on JBL released in 2002:

https://www.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/7/MPW-3669

 

[javonstokess]

JBL thinks he's hazing, his victims know it as bullying.

Regardless, he's a known jerk who's in good with the boss. Vince has an "old school" mentality in regards to the locker room and until that modernizes itself, they'll continue on.

It really does suck because the WWE has literally lost on wrestlers who could have been main event caliber guys because they don't like how they run business (i.e. Johnny Morrison).

 

[Hotwire]

That's what I'm referencing. Wrestlers who got over as heels then became faces.

I was referencing those who started as faces and turned heel.

Actually, The Rock and Shawn Michaels are probably the best two examples of that!

 

[TheCommissioner]

JR has a 2 year deal - the first 12 months is 30-40 dates so that rules out weekly shows

I gather he might call a RAW, SD, or PPV on occasion

probably be working in NXT quite a bit and the Womens Tournament

 

[Wheels]

JR has a 2 year deal - the first 12 months is 30-40 dates so that rules out weekly shows

I gather he might call a RAW, SD, or PPV on occasion

probably be working in NXT quite a bit and the Womens Tournament

I really wish we could get a play by play guy who is more district. Mauro had a different vibe to him than the guys you usually see plugged into that role now.

 

[Serpico Jones]

Don't know if anyone posted this already but it's been reported by CBS sports that Mauro Ranallo will not be returning to WWE.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Don't know if anyone posted this already but it's been reported by CBS sports that Mauro Ranallo will not be returning to WWE.

This guy may want Mauro's contact info:

 

[MMMMM...Pancakes]

Don't know if anyone posted this already but it's been reported by CBS sports that Mauro Ranallo will not be returning to WWE.

Big loss. I really liked Maru's over the top shouting.

 

[NDX]

I'm glad Phillips is getting a chance to call a show but not at the cost of Mauro. Even though all the pop culture references pissed me off he was a breath of fresh air overall and fun to listen to.

 

[The Chris]

Also with Phillips he shines more with Corey with anyone else. Hell Mauro really got to do great work with Bryan and Graves. JBL brought him down. I really think JBL is an overrated heel commentator. He's more annoying than anything else, like mute level at times, especially that little cry baby imitation he does. It's so terrible. Otunga is even worse. This really sucks. If Mauro and Graves were together more they could have been the new JR and King.