Last year, WWE broke from their usual M.O. when they hired Mauro Ranallo away from the world of MMA. The longtime fan favorite and lifetime wrestling fan was well-received by most viewers and peers, but a combination of a lot of factors that we’ll probably never know the complete story about led to Ranallo parting ways with the company. Now it looks like WWE is once again trying to lure another MMA announcer … this time arguably the most famous MMA play-by-play man in history.
Mike Goldberg, who was courted by WWE once before (and his turning WWE down is rumored to be why the company had a supposed ban on mentioning the OTHER Goldberg for years), is no longer with UFC, where he was employed for well over a decade. Goldberg and his broadcast partner Joe Rogan are as synonymous for many viewers as Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler (or Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon) are with WWE for wrestling fans.
Goldberg left UFC at the very end of 2016, after calling UFC 207. By most accounts, the split was not a pleasant one. But WWE has reportedly come calling. SportsKeeda and their Dirty Sheets podcast report that WWE has reached out to Goldberg’s representatives about coming in as an announcer.
While this would be far from the most notable signing of a Goldberg by WWE in the past two years, it’s interesting that they would dip back into the world of MMA so soon, especially given the alleged animosity the last time he turned them down, and the Ranallo situation still fresh in a lot of fans’ minds.
This is certainly something to keep an eye on, and we will bring you more Mike Goldberg news when IT IS ALLLLLL OVER.
