Daniel Bryan and Mauro Ranallo to call WWE’s Cruiserweight Classic

When Daniel Bryan announced his retirement from WWE, there were multiple reports WWE was trying to find a non-contact role for him. When he was then removed from public appearances amidst reports he needed time away from the business he loved to figure out life-after-wrestling, whether such a role existed for him was in doubt.

It appears enough time has passed, and the right job identified... and now you have yet another reason to tune in to the Cruiserweight Classic (CWC), WWE Network’s upcoming tournament show featuring sub-205 pound workers from around the world.

Here’s WWE’s press release announcing the dream announce team of DB and Mauro Ranallo:

WWE® Cruiserweight Classic™ to Premiere on WWE Network Wednesday, July 13

STAMFORD, Conn. -- WWE announced today that the WWE Cruiserweight Classic will premiere Wednesday, July 13 at 9 PM ET exclusively on WWE Network. The 10-week tournament will air every Wednesday night and culminate with a live two-hour special on Wednesday, September 14.

The WWE Cruiserweight Classic will be hosted by WWE Legend Daniel Bryan® and the voice of WWE SmackDown® Mauro Ranallo.

“We scoured the globe to find 32 of the best Cruiserweights to compete in this inaugural tournament,” said WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul “Triple H®” Levesque. “These performers will be given an unprecedented opportunity to showcase their elite athleticism and unbridled passion across WWE's global platforms.”

The WWE Cruiserweight Classic is a 32-man, single-elimination tournament that will feature the best cruiserweights from all over the world including Rich Swann, Johnny Gargano, Cedric Alexander and Tommaso Ciampa from the United States, Kota Ibushi and Akira Tozawa from Japan, Zack Sabre, Jr from England, Noam Dar from Scotland, Ho Ho Lun and Jason Lee from Hong Kong, Gran Metalik from Mexico, Tyson Dux from Canada, Da Mack from Germany, Damian Slater from Australia and many more.

WWE Network will also air an exclusive Cruiserweight Classic special entitled CWC: Bracketology on Wednesday, July 6 at 9 PM ET.

While he was, of course, always going to remain a presence on Total Divas and its spin-off, Total Bellas, it was unclear if we’d get to see Bryan talk wrestling again. But following reports he was in the gym helping his sister-in-law get ready for a comeback, and now this, it looks like the former WWE Grand Slam champ will remain in our scripted fighting lives.

Bryan was a likeable presence on Tough Enough, and his goofy appearances as a commentator on the old Saturday Morning Slam were an underrated part of his rise to internet darling.

So, to say we’re excited about this would be an understatement.

How bout you, Cagesiders?