AEW’s Tony Schiavone Praises Vince McMahon’s Broadcasting Skills

One big thing: Tony Schiavone, AEW’s veteran commentator, acknowledges Vince McMahon as one of the best announcers in wrestling history.

• Schiavone, speaking on the “What Happened When” podcast, praised McMahon’s skills as a broadcaster and in-ring interviewer.

• He highlighted the McMahon-Jesse Ventura commentary team as one of the best ever, alongside other iconic duos like Gorilla Monsoon-Bobby Heenan and Jerry Lawler-Jim Ross.

Why it matters:

Schiavone’s perspective offers insight into McMahon’s lesser-known talent as a broadcaster, beyond his role as a promoter and businessman.

By the numbers:

• Schiavone worked for McMahon’s WWF from April 1989 to April 1990.
• During this time, he called major events like SummerSlam and the Royal Rumble.

What they’re saying:

“Vince, realistically, it was his company, so he knew what to say. He knew how to promote things, so I thought he was great in this area,” Schiavone said.

Yes, but:

Schiavone noted one critique of McMahon as an interviewer:
• McMahon’s height often made him taller than the wrestlers he interviewed, which goes against the conventional wisdom of announcers being smaller than talent.

The big picture:

Schiavone’s comments highlight the multifaceted nature of McMahon’s involvement in wrestling, from business operations to on-screen performance.

What’s next:

As AEW continues to grow, comparisons between different eras and styles of wrestling broadcasting are likely to increase.

What do you think about Vince McMahon’s skills as a broadcaster? Do you agree with Tony Schiavone’s assessment? Leave a comment below with your thoughts!