Daniel Bryan, Mauro Ranallo to Host WWE's Cruiserweight Classic

WWE announced Wednesday that former WWE world heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan and lead SmackDown announcer Mauro Ranallo will host the upcoming Cruiserweight Classic.

The 32-man tournament begins taping Thursday at Full Sail Arena in Orlando, Florida, and will begin airing on WWE Network every Wednesday from July 13 through September 14.

Bryan retired from in-ring competition in February due to concussion issues, and serving as the color commentator for the Cruiserweight Classic will mark his first significant role with WWE since he stepped away.

Ranallo expressed his excitement to call the action alongside the leader of the Yes Movement:

Although Bryan was listed at 210 pounds during his WWE career, which is just slightly over the 205-pound weight limit attached to the Cruiserweight Classic, he figures to understand and relate to the athletes.

Bryan is recognized as one of the most successful "smallish" wrestlers in WWE history, having won the world title on four occasions, including in the main event of WrestleMania 30.

He will lend his aerial and mat-based expertise to a tournament that will feature global stars such as Zack Sabre Jr., Kota Ibushi, Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Akira Tozawa, Tajiri, Brian Kendrick and Cedric Alexander.

Bryan's future with the company has been somewhat of a mystery since his retirement, but commentating on the fundamentals of wrestling figures to be the perfect utilization of one of the all-time great grapplers.

The 35-year-old future Hall of Famer has long had a penchant for making his peers look good and putting them over on the mic and in the ring. So long as he translates that to the announce table, his participation will bode well for the credibility of the tournament and the performers.

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