Latest news with #TonySchiavone
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Craigsville native Tony Schiavone pumped for wresting return to Roanoke in AEW Collision
Tony Schiavone is returning to Virginia ― at least for the weekend. A native of Craigsville, Schiavone is an announcer with All Elite Wrestling. He's the lead announcer on AEW Collision, which is coming to Roanoke's Berglund Center Saturday, Aug. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are still available on the AEW website, but it will also be broadcast live on TNT and stream on HBO Max. "I'll be doing the commentary with Nigel McGuinness, a former wrestling star, and we'll have some of our big stars there," Schiavone said. "We're really thrilled about being part of this, and I'm personally thrilled about being here." More: New CEO takes reins at Blue Ridge Area Food Bank as federal food pantry cuts loom Less than two hours away from where he grew up, Schiavone is happy to be home ― or at least close to home. The Buffalo Gap High School graduate grew up listening to football and basketball games on Staunton's WTON. Once he graduated from James Madison University, the Staunton radio station is where he got his first broadcasting job. He wasn't on the air at first, instead setting up equipment and keeping stats during games. Eventually he worked his way onto the air — his first break was when an announcer went to the wrong school and Schiavone called play-by-play for the first half of a high school basketball game. He wasn't very good, but it got him more work. Schiavone got good enough that he was offered the play-by-play job for James Madison University football, but he wanted to do baseball. He applied for, and got, a job with a minor league team in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1981. From Greensboro he went to Charlotte in 1982 for another minor league team. There, he met the Crockett family, which owned the baseball team and was also a major wrestling promoter. Schiavone has been a wrestling fan since his days as a teenager, walking to his Uncle John's home on his lunch break from his job at the Craigsville IGA. His uncle was a huge wrestling fan, so the two would watch matches on television. The first match he ever saw in person was in Harrisonburg, but once he could drive, Schiavone went to matches in Roanoke, Richmond and even as far away as Greensboro. More: Administrative appointments in Augusta County come with drama at school board meeting "There was a feud between Ric Flair and Blackjack Mulligan probably in 1978 that really got my interest," Schiavone said. "I became a big Blackjack Mulligan fan." Interestingly enough, his first job in wrestling was when the Crocket family asked him to interview Flair. That led to more interviews and finally, when Jim Crockett Promotions' World Championship Wrestling debuted on TBS in 1985, Schiavone was hired as one of the announcers. "I found that I was making a lot more part-time in wrestling than I was full-time in baseball," he said. "So, they hired me full-time in wrestling, and here I am. I started on TBS in 1985 and just hung in there." Schiavone said he can't wait to see the fans in Roanoke Aug. 9. "I can't believe that here I am, pushing 70; I'll be 70 in three years," Schiavone said. "And I'm still doing wrestling." Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips are always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Craigsville native Tony Schiavone returns to Roanoke with AEW Collision
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
AEW's Tony Schiavone flew cross-country to adopt a rescue dog from Monroe's Motley Zoo
Wrestling broadcaster Tony Schiavone says a chance encounter with a rescue dog backstage at an AEW event led him to a life-changing friendship—and a cross-country adoption from Monroe-based Motley Zoo Animal Rescue. It started when former WWE and AEW wrestler Saraya arrived at a show with a Chihuahua-beagle mix. 'Holy smokes,' Schiavone recalled thinking. 'I love Chihuahuas. I love beagles. It's perfect.' Advertisement Saraya told him the dog came from Motley Zoo in Washington, where her boyfriend had adopted it for her. That conversation stuck with Schiavone. The next time AEW held a show in the Seattle area, he contacted Motley Zoo. Director Pate made the trip out to his hotel to show him a few adoptable dogs, but the specific litter Saraya's dog came from was already adopted. Still determined, Schiavone browsed the rescue's website and spotted a small dog resembling the Chihuahua he'd recently lost. He told Pate, 'I'm gonna come get that dog.' In the meantime, he and his wife also adopted a beagle named Bucky from a rescue in Atlanta. Advertisement His wife assumed that was the end of the adoption journey, but Schiavone had already promised Motley Zoo he would follow through. Using frequent flyer miles, he flew to Seattle, took an Uber to Monroe, and brought home a dog named Dobby—all in one day. 'He's been my little buddy ever since,' Schiavone said. 'He follows me all around the house. He won't even go upstairs at bedtime unless I'm there.' The experience solidified his bond with Motley Zoo. He now donates monthly to the nonprofit and credits its staff, especially Jme and Pate, for their dedication. 'I just want to see them prosper,' Schiavone said. 'I know the people. I know what work they do.' Advertisement Though based in Georgia, Schiavone says he's 'fallen in love with the area' and has visited the rescue multiple times. 'It's gorgeous here,' he added. Schiavone's passion for animals and wrestling intersect in unexpected ways. A veteran voice in professional wrestling, Schiavone first broke into the industry while announcing for a minor league baseball team owned by Jim Crockett Promotions. That led to a long career with WCW, where he became one of the most recognizable commentators of the 1990s. After WCW folded, he worked in sports radio and as an official baseball scorer before eventually returning to wrestling with AEW in 2019—thanks in part to encouragement from fans and AEW President Tony Khan. Advertisement Schiavone praised Khan's deep knowledge of wrestling history, including minute details like the shade of a pink bowtie Schiavone wore at Halloween Havoc 1991. 'He remembers more of my career than I do,' Schiavone said. He also spoke about his longtime friendship with Jim Ross, who helped him land his first major contract with Turner Broadcasting in the late 1980s. 'Because of Jim Ross,' he said, 'I called my wife and said, 'We're making some big money.'' Now, after decades in the business, Schiavone said he's more appreciative than ever of the athleticism and diversity in modern wrestling. Though he admits some of the risks concern him—like the increasing use of dives and tables—he's impressed by talents like Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Toni Storm, and Mercedes Moné. Advertisement As for what fans can expect at AEW's Wednesday's show in Kent? 'You're going to see great matches. You're going to see great athletic contests. Guys do things that make you go, 'Wow,'' he said. 'And hopefully, more dogs.' Tickets for AEW's Dynamite and Collision show Wednesday night can be purchased here.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ric Flair's AEW Return Appearance Announced
'The Nature Boy' Ric Flair will return to AEW programming next week for a very special reason. Despite having a contract with the company, Ric Flair hasn't been seen in AEW since Revolution 2024 when he got physically involved in Sting's last match against the Young Bucks. But an important segment next week will require The Nature Boy's presence. Advertisement Last night on AEW Collision, Tony Schiavone announced that the company will host a tribute to former WCW star and NFL Hall of Famer, Steve 'Mongo' McMichael, who sadly passed away last month. Schiavone confirmed that both Ric Flair and McMichael's family will be in attendance for the tribute in Chicago. This will air on Saturday's episode of Collision. You can check out a graphic of the official announcement for Steve 'Mongo' McMichael in the embedded post below: WrestleZone will have live coverage of AEW Collision as it airs next weekend. READ MORE: Ric Flair Wants You To Join His Video Game League Team Advertisement What do you make of this announcement? Do you think this is an appropriate use of Ric Flair on AEW programming next week? What are some of your favorite memories of Steve 'Mongo' McMichael? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below. The post Ric Flair's AEW Return Appearance Announced appeared first on Wrestlezone.
