This has been a huge week for wrestling and MMA announcer Mauro Ranallo. It all started when the UFC hired Ranallo to call the hugely anticipated boxing match between UFC champion Conor McGregor and undefeated boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather. Now, Ranallo's week has gotten even bigger when the WWE announced that Mauro was returning to the company.

Mauro Ranallo's WWE exit

It has been a few months since Mauro Ranallo shocked the WWE Universe when he left "SmackDown Live" suddenly before "WrestleMania 33." The rumors of bullying by fellow commentator JBL rose suddenly, including former UFC champion Bas Rutten challenging JBL to a fight and making comments that made it look like JBL was the cause of Ranallo leaving the WWE.

However, Mauro Ranallo refused to make any public comments about JBL and continued to support the talent from the WWE, who he has said deserve the chance to be superstars. However, it was clear that Ranallo was not comfortable as the announcer on "SmackDown Live" and he has been outspoken about his battles with depression and bipolar disorder.

Post-WWE work for Ranallo

Mauro Ranallo had picked up some side jobs while he was waiting for his WWE contract to end, working various MMA events. The WWE contract was supposed to expire in August and there were rumors that Ranallo might be headed for the UFC when that happened.

The Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather fight is in August and this past week the announcement came that Mauro would call play-by-play for the fight.

The fight is on Showtime and that is the network that Ranallo has called many fights for. There were rumors the WWE might try to latch onto this announcement but no one thought that they would bring Mauro back.

The new Mauro Ranallo deal

Mauro Ranallo made the big announcement on Instagram where he once again denied the JBL rumors circulating about his "SmackDown Live" exit and said that he was coming back to the WWE.

He called it an agreement that works for both parties and that he was going to be a part of the NXT announce team.

That is huge news. For one thing, Mauro Ranallo won't have to travel as extensively with the NXT brand since they pre-tape all their shows from Florida. His only traveling will be to those tapings and the occasional "TakeOver" events when they occur.

If anything, the lack of travel can help with his mental issues.

Tom Phillips, who was the lead announcer on NXT has taken over the "SmackDown Live" spot and has been pulling double duty. There is a good chance that Phillips will just move full-time to "SmackDown Live" and Mauro will take over the lead duties on NXT with Nigel McGuinness and Percy Watson. Mauro Ranallo will start with NXT on Friday for the next TV taping events.
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