WWE unhappy with current announcers / Sean Mooney looking to make a WWE Return

[Ambiguous Turd]

This was reported on a different news site today.

- Apparently former WWE announcer Sean Mooney was recently seen at WWE headquarters in Stamford and may be looking to make a return. WWE are actively looking for new announcers right now as at least one person had a tryout earlier this week. Mooney began working for WWE back in 1988 on the Wrestling Challenge show and left the company in 1993.

Well this is certainly interesting. I always enjoyed listening to Mooney, who primarily did commentary on the Coliseum Video releases. Banter between him and Lord Alfred Hayes, while not nearly as exciting as listening to the teams of Monsoon and Heenan or Vince and Jesse .... were still relaxing to listen to.

Mooney was a decent commentator during these segments, although it would have been better if his Lordship stepped it up a bit. Occasionally he did and it was funny, though.

Sean Mooney was most known for his role on the WWE Event Center segments, when WWE practiced syndication and actually targeted their Event Center segments to the market it was in ... by going over the House Show cards for the local arena, and airing comments from talent that was appearing on those cards.

Personally, I think he would be a fantastic interviewer, and given his commentary style, would probably be a good fit for today's more toned down style of commentary (not my cup of tea, but that's what McMahon wants).

Anxious to hear everyone's thoughts. Would you like to see a return of Sean Mooney in some way, shape, or form? If so, what would you like to see him do?


On the other hand, this gave me my laugh for the day ... also from another news site:

WWE is said to be very unhappy with the announcers situation and they are currently seeking new ones.

Which may explain why Mooney may be returning.

This is hysterical. Here, Vince McMahon has completely altered the style of the commentating done on his program, to make it sound like more "Sports Commentary" complete with analysts .... and now he's upset at his commentators/analysts. Even after screaming in their ears what to say regularly and feeding them lines, telling them to be quiet more often and take more pauses .... not to oversell anything, don't sound excited, etc. and now he's upset at them.

Get Vince McMahon as far away from Creative as possible. It's clear he doesn't know what he's doing anymore, and that others in the company are covering for him in this department, simply to get Creative to at least function. His behavior is too erratic. He doesn't know what he wants anymore, and instead of taking responsibility for his actions, he takes his decisions out on his people. Very poor leadership.

 

[klunderbunker]

Dude, this has to be a joke right? Mooney hasn't been around in 16 years. Also, when he was around, he was like your uncle Gus that liked to molest poultry and couldn't stay out of jail because he was broke all the time: he was worthless and not any good at anything but you stood behind him because he was family. Mooney was pretty worthless, and since he hasn't been around in 16 years, how effective could he be? Does he know anything about wrestling anymore? This is a no for me, with very little chance of changing my mind.

 

[byrnside]

The 5 year old in my just had a heart attack. Personally, Sidious, I can't help but agree with you. I think, if he's up to speed on the product, he could be a great asset to have, if nothing else an experienced backstage interviewer. I always enjoyed his work when I was younger, and I've watched enough footage of him recently that I think he could still be good potentially. If only Jesse would leave politics, he and Vince could get behind the booth again. That and if they brought in more manager types, I'd be set.

 

[X]

Okay, let me catch my breath for a second.



All right now that that's out of my system, I might actually like to see this. Mooney wasn't one of their better announcers but he was certainly better than the likes of Lord Alfred Hayes or Todd Pettingell. It'd be nice to see someone who isn't in their twenties doing some announcing duties, there's just too much youth on the teams already to be honest.

I don't understand why the hell Vince would want to do this though. He's all about young attractive plastic people as the faces of his company, what the hell would he want to do with Mooney?

 

[DiscipleofWrestling]

Sean Mooney is alright. Maybe his negatives would be minimized compared to the glorious era of announcing Michael Cole has given us. (VINTAGE PUTDOWN!) Raw could use someone with experience doing interviews backstage. I'm not saying he's going to be the WWE's new version of Gene Okerland, but he'd be better than some of the people being used backstage for interviews lately. I hope he'd be more competant at his job than an American Gladiators hack.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

In the very least, Mooney would make a great interviewer and that is what the company needs to enhance the characters. This crap with "Can I get your thoughts" ... being called "interviews" needs to stop.

Apparently, all you need to do to be an interviewer in WWE these days is say "Wrestler X, can I get your thoughts for tonight's match?"

And that's all they have to do. Pure, utter bullshit.

Bringing someone in like Mooney would be an excellent way to start getting out of that terrible habit WWE has got in with "interviews", and bring them back to basics. Plus, Mooney would bring back a lot of nostalgia for older fans.

I only see benefits to bringing the guy back.

 

[Tenta]

I'm sorry, was Pamela Paulshock booked? Was The Coach not able to be reached?

Look, this is a step in the right direction for the WWE's announce team, I guess, but again, I'm of the belief that the best announcers are typically former professional wrestlers or managers. If Vince isn't going to allow for his announcers to portray characters, the very least he could offer is some insight that makes me want to listen to the broadcaster. Think of all the greatest announcers in your memory. JR, The King, Bobby Heenan, Gorilla Monsoon. You know what all of these men had in common? They all were fairly accomplished names in the world of wrestling, and were respected for their mind, and how they felt about the business.

Now think of all the announcers that typically get shat on. Tony Schiavone, Mike Adamle, Don West. Again, you know what these names have in common? They weren't expereinced names in the wrestling business, and never offered any insight for the viewer at home. These names we didn't recognize, and quite frankly, names we didn't care that much for.

I suppose Mooney has a sort of name in the wrestling business, but I don't feel this is their best option. I'd be much happier seeing someone like Ted DiBiase at the broadcast booth. Don't you think the combination of Ted and JR just seems right? He's done it before, and I feel his work at the 1994 Royal Rumble was pretty good. I'd say the WWE should strive for a name that knows the business, if the situation seems as dire as Vince believes it to be. Any time you're turning to Sean Mooney, your situation can't be too pleasant.

 

[byrnside]

I'm sorry, was Pamela Paulshock booked? Was The Coach not able to be reached?

Look, this is a step in the right direction for the WWE's announce team, I guess, but again, I'm of the belief that the best announcers are typically former professional wrestlers or managers. If Vince isn't going to allow for his announcers to portray characters, the very least he could offer is some insight that makes me want to listen to the broadcaster. Think of all the greatest announcers in your memory. JR, The King, Bobby Heenan, Gorilla Monsoon. You know what all of these men had in common? They all were fairly accomplished names in the world of wrestling, and were respected for their mind, and how they felt about the business.

Now think of all the announcers that typically get shat on. Tony Schiavone, Mike Adamle, Don West. Again, you know what these names have in common? They weren't expereinced names in the wrestling business, and never offered any insight for the viewer at home. These names we didn't recognize, and quite frankly, names we didn't care that much for.

I suppose Mooney has a sort of name in the wrestling business, but I don't feel this is their best option. I'd be much happier seeing someone like Ted DiBiase at the broadcast booth. Don't you think the combination of Ted and JR just seems right? He's done it before, and I feel his work at the 1994 Royal Rumble was pretty good. I'd say the WWE should strive for a name that knows the business, if the situation seems as dire as Vince believes it to be. Any time you're turning to Sean Mooney, your situation can't be too pleasant.

God, I wish the Brain could still do commentary. Do I need to go into the reasons why? I suppose so, for the sake of not spamming. Seriously, when he was with Gorilla or Vince, he was untouchable. His comedy is still funny and relevant to this day. He was a perfect example of what Tenta just brought up. For the kids out there, The Brain is 10 times the commentator the King is, and that is saying a lot. On that note, I wouldn't mind if Jesse the Body came back either. Either of those two could give JR or Michael Cole a run for their money.

 

[Sean Valjean]

I didn't watch wrestling back then, so I can't comment on the pros and cons of Sean Mooney's return since I know very little about him. However, he can't be any worse than the new commentators they have now. Without Striker, Todd Grisham is pretty bad. Josh Matthews is downright terrible and seems to have a black clone in that new guy, Byron Saxton (I think that's his name). I've heard golf and tennis commentary with more energy and excitement than what these guys produce each week.

Like the wrestlers, Vince needs to loosen up on what the commentators can say and do. Let them be themselves and react naturally to what their watching. If a "HOLY SHIT" moment occurs, let them freak out accordingly, like JR used to. What's the point of having exciting things happen if the commentators aren't allowed to treat it as such?

 

[byrnside]

Without Striker, Todd Grisham is pretty bad. Josh Matthews is downright terrible and seems to have a black clone in that new guy, Byron Saxton (I think that's his name). I've heard golf and tennis commentary with more energy and excitement than what these guys produce each week.

Like the wrestlers, Vince needs to loosen up on what the commentators can say and do. Let them be themselves and react naturally to what their watching. If a "HOLY SHIT" moment occurs, let them freak out accordingly, like JR used to. What's the point of having exciting things happen if the commentators aren't allowed to treat it as such?

I think that all goes hand in hand. I seriously doubt Vince is in the back going OK, he's about to hit the finisher, make sure you tone it down! If anything, Vince would want excitement out of his announcers. I think those guys are just trying to come into their own. If you go back and watch matches that Michael Cole called in '99 and 2000, you won't think he was that great. Hell, I still don't think he's that great.

 

[Sean Valjean]

I think that all goes hand in hand. I seriously doubt Vince is in the back going OK, he's about to hit the finisher, make sure you tone it down! If anything, Vince would want excitement out of his announcers. I think those guys are just trying to come into their own. If you go back and watch matches that Michael Cole called in '99 and 2000, you won't think he was that great. Hell, I still don't think he's that great.

From what I've heard, Vince HAS told the commentators to tone it down a bit. Maybe not for the finishers, but for the overall product. I've been watching wrestling for a long time and I've never heard the commentary as calm and subdued as it is now; it really is like golf commentary. JR and King don't freak out nearly as much as they used to, and they used to practically orgasm to the things happening in the ring. I agree with you on Cole though, he's always been crap and may even be more annoying now than before.

Saxton is new so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, but I think Todd and Josh have been there long enough for them to not be as terrible as they are now. They couldn't get me excited for something if they tried (which they do, terribly I might add) I remember when Christian made his surprise return, all Todd could muster was "It's.....it's Christian." These guys really need to work on putting some emotion into their commentary because they are the definition of bland right now.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

Even Jim Ross has stated that WWE (read "Vince McMahon") wanted his commentators toned down. Ross said he gets yelled at if he gets "too excited".

We need to show some common sense here, gang. Everything you see on TV today is carefully planned and designed to Vince McMahon's precise specifications. Why do ALL the commentators sound subdued, not excited, take pauses in the action ... etc? You think they all just suck? Wrong. That's how Vince has instructed them to act, to make it sound more like actual commentary from a sport like football.

That man never ceases to amaze me. Now, he's upset at his own talent .... for essentially telling them how to act.

That's okay, though. The more he does this type of thing, the more apparent it is made to the rest of the IWC that the man is losing his marbles and needs to eliminate his involvement with the Creative team.

As far as Sean Mooney coming in ... again a welcome change. Although, I would first like to see him brought in as an Interviewer and get re-acquainted with the wrestling audience. After he establishes that connection, then perhaps he could be considered for the booth ... if there's an opening.

I would love to see him do some plugs for some House Shows, as well.

 

[Jack Tunney's Ghost]

Well, it goes to show just how much the WWE has lowered the bar throughout the years.

Back when Mooney was actively being used for WWF broadcasts and Coliseum Home Video play by play, he was probably the worst announcer on the WWF roster.

But, compared to most of the ham and egger alleged "announcers" on WWE TV TODAY, Mooney looks almost like friggen' Gordon Solie (comparatively speaking).

As much as we make merciless fun of Michael Cole for the whole "vintage" nonsense, Mooney was just as bad, if not worse, for overusing the phrase "superstar." Mooney was also just as bad as sounding "robotic" during commentary, while not as over the top as Cole, Mooney was a challenge to listen to on play by play... Hayes really brought their team "chemistry" to unbearable lows with Mooney.

Mooney was incredibly stiff on camera and lacked any natural charisma.

But, having said that, Mooney "worked" as host in the Event Center Updates because he and his stiff personality fit WWF's "sports" TV format as opposed to the so-called "entertainment" format WWE is utilizing to day. But, with Mooney being so stiff on camera, I question if he would work in the WWE's high energy style of programming today. Craig DeGeorge or (shudder) Todd Grisham would be better fits to the current WWE environment if you were to bring back anyone back from the 80's/90's broadcast rosters.

But, having said all of that, I would rather see Mooney conducting a back stage interview over the current "Big Titted Ditz of The Week" that WWE seems to love using today. A Savannah segment is freakin' painful to watch. "Tell me your thoughts because I can't think."

By the way, play by play guys are told to settle down on their calls all the time. It's too easy to "over sell" the match they're doing commentary on and have to settle down. It's like getting a new video camera and you always seem to over use the zoom buttom. Just human nature. But, the thing is, if you oversell a mid-card match (for example) then you REALLY have to step it up for the main event match on the card to give the main event match that special feel... that it means something huge. Sometimes, less is more.

 

[RicSpade]

Well to be honest with you I think things could be a lot worse we could put Adamle back behind the booth and have him butcher everything in wrestling? Sean Mooney may not have been the most exciting announcer in the business but he made me understand what was going on in the wrestling world when I was little. Here is my problem with announce teams I miss the heel-face concept of the announce team, Ventura-Gorilla and Ventura-McMahon had the best chemistry for this and it was almost as good with the brain and gorilla. Byron and Josh don't have all the tools, Your missing the play by play man who knows the business and the moves like Striker, the very "least" they coulda did was put an actual Wrestler behind the desk with them to call out moves like Striker, but hopefully J.R. Comes back soon.

But if not hey put Mooney, Adamle, Sexton, and Matthews in a four man team like they use to do in WCW and watch the death of ECW's little brother happen very very quickly.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

I just wanted to provide an update to the Sean Mooney potential return. I was reading another wrestling website and:

In a follow-up to the reports that former WWE announcer Sean Mooney was spotted at WWE's Stamford, CT headquarters, [Dave Meltzer's website] cites rumors from one source that Mooney has actually signed a deal to return to the company.

I'm actually fairly satisfied with the commentary on Smackdown (well, if we are going to only base it on the Play by Play/Analyst formula ... I would prefer Face/Heel teams) ... and I think Grisham and Striker work well together. Although I suppose each of the Play by Play announcers have reason to be skaking in their boots at this point, from being given the axe, with Mooney on board now. Not that Mooney was a great Play by Play. He was just okay. But anyone is replaceable.

I still think putting him as a backstage interviewer would be best, and would frankly, love to see him re-debut back at Madison Square Garden tonight for Raw. That would definitely be a nice treat for the fans. But that way he can get re-acquainted with the WWE audience, as I'm sure the older fans may remember him, but most of today's fans probably won't have a clue who he is.