WRESTLING NEWS
Tony Schiavone: Facts Only Hardcore Fans Know About The AEW Commentator
By BRIAN HOGLUND
Tony Schiavone began his announcing career in 1983 with Jim Crockett Promotions — a company run by Jim Crockett Jr., a promoter who showcased multiple legendary wrestlers. A few days before Crockett's death, Schiavone told him, "I would be nothing without you because you're the one that gave me my shot."
Where It Began
Although Schiavone gladly accepted the offer to work for WWF in Connecticut in 1989, he left the company in 1990 when WCW offered him twice the amount of money Vince McMahon was paying him. He "jokingly" tweeted in 2020 that the top two items on his mistakes list were "1.) Yes Vince, I'll come to work for you 2.) Yes, I'll move to Connecticut."
The Dumbest Idea
Despite finishing in the Top 7 of the Wrestling Observer Awards for Best TV Announcer, Schiavone was named the Worst TV Announcer in 1999 and 2000. This was partly because he had to explain all the horrible storylines that WCW was running during its dying years.
Worst TV Announcer
Schiavone joined NWA-TNA in 2001 by debuting as an on-screen heel personality that received a lukewarm response and confused viewers. Although speculations suggest that Schiavone was supposed to be a part of Vince Russo's stable, his heart wasn't in it, and this failed venture kept him from wrestling for 18 years.
The 18-Year Hiatus
In 2004, Schiavone began sports radio for WSB-AM radio while working for other small stations owned by different companies. His work in Georgia Bulldog Radio Network earned the AP Award for "Best Sports Program" in 2004, and he won the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Award for "Best Sports Story or Series" in 2006.
Awards For Sports Radio