Ricardo Rodriguez

Quickly after his debut on SmackDown in August 2010, Ricardo Rodriguez demonstrated he was more than just a symbol of Alberto Del Rio’s wealth. Rodriguez isn’t just Del Rio's personal ring announcer, he’s also Del Rio’s closest friend. Announcing the Mexican Superstar’s weekly arena arrivals, Rodriguez delivers a rolling “R” with a gusto that makes the WWE Universe chime in as well.

Despite the bowtie and perfectly parted hair, Rodriguez earns his salary by intervening on his boss’ behalf, even if it means taking a hit himself. On the Sept. 3 edition of Raw, Ricardo got a little too close to the action and was planted with a Brogue Kick from Sheamus. He enlisted the assistance of Harvard-educated attorney and WWE Superstar David Otunga. The litigious Otunga seemed to have a secret plan up his bicep-busting sleeves to help the injured personal ring announcer, and when the Brogue Kick was temporarily banned, it looked like Ricardo was on his way to striking back at The Celtic Warrior. But when SmackDown General Manager Booker T reinstated Sheamus’ big boot, bad times once again plagued Rodriguez.

On the Sept. 25 episode of Raw, Ricardo joined Del Rio & Otunga in a Six-Man Tag Team Match against Sheamus, Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara. Ricardo’s initial excitement to get in the ring was quickly diminished after Rey hit the 619 and Sin Cara pinned the personal ring announcer for the victory.

Ricardo saw an upturn in his own fortune as 2013 dawned. Del Rio overcame Big Show on the Jan. 8 SmackDown taping to claim the World Heavyweight Championship. But heading into WrestleMania and Del Rio’s match against Jack Swagger, Ricardo was caught in the crossfire as the “Real American” broke the earnest ring announcer’s ankle on the March 18 episode of Raw. Del Rio defeated Swagger on The Grandest Stage of Them All, but Dolph Ziggler cashed in Money in the Bank the following night on Raw to claim the World Title.

Ricardo helped Del Rio take some strides toward redemption, however, as on the April 29 Raw, the ring announcer scored a huge victory in a Triple Threat Match against Big E Langston and Zeb Colter to allow Del Rio the opportunity to choose the stipulation for his Extreme Rules rematch for the title. Because of an injury to Ziggler, however, Del Rio will now square off against Jack Swagger at Extreme Rules in an “I Quit” Match to determine the No. 1 contender to The Showoff’s title.

Like a good and loyal friend, Ricardo will not rest until every member of the WWE Universe knows the name “Alberto Del Rio.”