Mauro Ranallo spoke with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated recently about various topics. Here are the highlights.
On Jerry Lawler: “Jerry Lawler and I met for the first time when I walked to ringside, and he was always wearing his headset,” said Ranallo. “I shook his hand and said, ‘Mr. Lawler, pleasure to meet you,’ and realized, ‘This is it.’ In my thirty years of experience working with a variety of people, I do know how to make people feel comfortable, and I know what my role is. I’m just the biggest fan who gets to sit ringside, and I’m doing what I wanted to do my whole life, and I wish everyone on earth had an opportunity to–whether it’s to fly to the moon, make the world’s best pizza, or create the world’s greatest race car–experience that same feeling.
On the Brand Extension: “I’m very much looking forward to the challenge,” said Ranallo. “I’m glad that they’re looking at distinct rosters, and distinct writing teams, and distinct announcers. We’re going to be in competition with Raw, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m actually looking forward to wrestling Michael Cole at WrestleMania–wait, no, I’m not. This is going to be a huge opportunity for everyone on the roster–I can’t wait for July 19.”
Ranallo also talked about SmackDown going live on July 19th and Vince McMahon. You can read the entire interview here.
