Ricardo Rodriguez Suspended by WWE for 30 Days for Violating Wellness Policy

The WWE has announced that World Heavyweight champion Alberto Del Rio’s personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez has been suspended for 30 days after violating the company’s wellness policy, according to WWE.com.

Commentator Michael Cole originally reported on Monday’s edition of Raw that Rodriguez was injured during last Friday’s SmackDown when Dolph Ziggler threw the manager through a table.

The injury storyline is what the WWE is using to write Rodriguez off television while he serves his 30-day suspension.

While he has done nothing wrong, this is a devastating blow to Del Rio. He is one of the best in-ring workers in the company, but he struggles on the mic at times. Rodriguez had acted as his mouthpiece for months and is arguably more over with the fans than the world champion.

The Money in the Bank pay-per-view is less than two weeks away (Sunday, July 14). With Del Rio looking to defend his title against Ziggler at that event, Rodriguez's suspension-related absence could be an opportunity for the WWE to give the belt back to The Showoff.

Rodriguez has been helping the crowd understand that Del Rio is now a heel by saying anti-American things and helping his friend win matches via dirty tactics.

Without his services, the world champ will have to carry the load on his own.

It wouldn’t be fair for Del Rio to suffer for the mistakes of his manager, but without Rodriguez at ringside for the PPV, it would be beneficial for Ziggler’s face turn to regain the championship at Money in the Bank.

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