‘WWE NXT’ Announcer Mauro Ranallo Reveals Tragic Incident Which Incited His Mental Health Issues

Ealier this year, Showtime released the critically acclaimed documentary Bipolar Rock N Roller, a look at the life and mental health struggles of WWE NXT announcer Mauro Ranallo. Specifically, the documentary looks at Ranallo’s struggles with bipolar disorder throughout his life, and the genesis of his mental health issues.

The Daily Goalcast has released a new clip from the documentary, which features Ranallo recalling “living the dream” as a teenager, when he was very suddenly, and at a very young age, struck by tragedy.

“They say that mental health issues are triggered by traumatic events,” said Ranallo. “And it doesn’t get more traumatic than losing your best friend at the age of 19.”

In the clip, Ranallo claimed that he received a telephone call from the sister of his best friend, Michael Jansen, when both he and Jansen were teenagers, informing Ranallo that Jansen had died of a heart attack.

Ranallo went on to explain that the death of his best friend at such a young age was likely the genesis of his mental health struggles. “I got really angry at the doctors and everyone else who had the audacity, the temerity, to tell me there was something wrong with me”, admitted Ranallo. “I’m living the dream, I’m doing more work than anybody, I’m making more money than anyone I know. I’m helping people, I’m a good person. What do you mean there’s something wrong with me in my brain?”

Mauro Ranallo is now famously known as the passionate lead play-by-play announcer for the WWE NXT brand, and made his triumphant return to the company after being released following issues on the main roster and calling the Smackdown Live brand television show.

Per Ranallo’s official website, “I have a voice and a platform and the stigma around mental health is costing people their lives,” he says. Mauro now lives in Los Angeles, California where he is a social advocate for Mental Health, an avid hiker and voice artist for commercials, books and film. You can learn more about Ranallo’s Showtime documentary at MauroRanallo.com.