Picture this: a seasoned wrestling icon, who's spent decades behind the microphone, flat-out refusing to tune into the powerhouse that's dominating TV screens worldwide. Mind-blowing, right? That's the stance Tony Schiavone, the voice of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), is taking on WWE's current shows, and it's sparking all kinds of debates in the wrestling world. But here's where it gets controversial – is he protecting innovation, or is he blind to potential inspiration? Let's dive in and unpack this fascinating decision, breaking it down step by step so even if you're new to wrestling, you'll get why this matters.
In a recent chat on his 'What Happened When' podcast, Tony Schiavone opened up about his deliberate choice to skip WWE's latest programming. As a key figure at AEW – the up-and-coming wrestling promotion founded by Cody Rhodes and others to challenge WWE's monopoly – Schiavone stressed that he's all about keeping AEW's vibe distinct and original, without letting the competition sneak in and influence their style. You know, in the cutthroat world of pro wrestling, where shows like WWE's Raw and SmackDown draw millions of viewers, it's easy for smaller promotions to get overshadowed or start mimicking the big guys. Schiavone's approach is like saying, 'Hey, let's build our own road instead of following in their footsteps.'
He made it clear that his disinterest isn't a knock on WWE's talent or creativity – far from it. Instead, it's a strategic move to carve out AEW's unique path. 'I steer clear of watching WWE or NXT's current events, and that's not to disparage their work at all,' he explained in his own words. 'It's simply because I want AEW to forge its own trail and avoid resembling them in any way.' This is a smart play for someone in his role as a lead announcer and senior producer, ensuring that his commentary and production choices stay pure to AEW's edgy, fan-focused ethos, which often features a mix of high-octane action and storytelling that's grittier than WWE's polished spectacles.
And this is the part most people miss: Schiavone isn't turning his back on wrestling history altogether. He still dives into classic bouts from the past, including timeless WWE and NXT matches, as well as gems from independent circuits and the old ECW days. For context, ECW was this rebellious promotion back in the '90s that pushed boundaries with hardcore fights and anti-establishment vibes, influencing a lot of modern wrestling. Schiavone even highlighted a favorite memory: watching a legendary women's match from WWE's past featuring Sasha Banks and Bayley, which he called 'the greatest women's bout I've ever witnessed.' It's like appreciating the roots of a sport without letting the present-day giants cloud your judgment.
Ultimately, Schiavone believes that peeking at WWE's ongoing output could taint his contributions to AEW. 'For today's content, I'll stick to our shows and ensure nothing from WWE shapes how I narrate a match or handle production,' he wrapped up. This mindset keeps AEW's identity sharp – think of it as a chef refusing to taste a rival restaurant's dishes to avoid copying their recipes. But here's the twist that might ruffle some feathers: is this isolationism the ultimate way to innovate, or could it mean missing out on fresh ideas that elevate the whole industry? Wrestling fans often debate whether cross-pollination between promotions leads to better storytelling or just watered-down clones.
So, what do you think? Does Tony Schiavone's boundary-setting make him a visionary protector of AEW's spirit, or is he unnecessarily walling himself off from potential greatness? Could watching the competition actually fuel creativity, or does it risk diluting a brand's uniqueness? Drop your opinions in the comments – I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have your own wrestling loyalty stories to share!
(If any direct quotes were drawn from this piece, a hat tip goes to What Happened When with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.)
