Tony Schiavone was one of the leading voices in pro wrestling for many years. Many wrestling fans especially in the early 90s to the early 2000s remembers him for his unique voice.
Before joining All Elite Wrestling (AWE) Dynamite as a commentator and producer, he earlier worked with World Wrestling Federation (WWF) now WWE, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and Major League Wrestling (MLW).
Asides from his wrestling job, he has also served as a broadcaster for baseball teams like Gwinnett Braves/Stripers of Minor League Baseball and Georgia Bulldogs football.
Here is a look into his career, interesting facts, and what actually happened to him.
Brief Biography of Tony Schiavone
The sports commentator was born Noah Anthony Schiavone on 7th November 1957 in Craigsville, Virginia, the United States. He is currently 68 years old. He has managed to keep details regarding the names of his parent a secret.
Schiavone grew up in Craigsville where he must have had his high school education. Upon graduation, he proceeded to the James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia.
It is possible he developed an interest in broadcasting from his younger days or he built it along the way. Even though the assertations have not been confirmed, but looking at how he first started pursuing the career only means he was passionate about broadcasting and wrestling.
Well, he gained fair recognition for WCW Monday Nitro in 1995, WCW Bash at the Beach in 1996, and Ready to Rumble in 2000.
He is currently married to Lois Schiavon. It is reported that the two tied knots on 6th June 1981. The marriage has produced 5 children. They are Chris, Laurie, Tim, Jon Michael, and Matt.
Two years after his marriage, his broadcasting career began. He worked together with David Crockett beginning from 1985 to 1989 on Superstation TBS.
The two hosted NWA’s World Championship Wrestling live before a small in-studio audience in Atlanta. They used the show as a platform to promote live NWA arena events and present their stars nationally.
And thus began his journey into becoming one of the famous broadcasters in the world of professional wrestling.
Also See- Jim Boylen – Bio, Net Worth, Height, Wife And 5 Fast Facts About Him
5 Interesting Facts About Tony Schiavone
1. Financial Difficulties Made Him To Take Up A Starbucks Job
Schiavone revealed in an episode of AEW’s Unresttircted podcast about the financial difficulties he went through in 2016 and how he almost returned to WWE. But, that didn’t go down well with his wife, Lois.
According to him, the financial difficulty pushed him to take u a Starbucks job. Things started turning around for him in 2019 as a result of the Starbucks job.
2. Lois Threatens Him With Divorce If He Returns To WWE
There was an indication he was going back to WWE when Bruce Prichard told him he was going to help him get back there. He later told Schiavone that Vince McMahon wants him to work for WWE again.
Schiavone informed some of his colleagues, with one, in particular, telling him not to return. When he told his wife, he got resounding no for an answer.
He said Lois threatened to divorce him if he returned to WWE. He revealed that she had a negative feeling WWE.
3. He And Bobby Heenan Don’t Talk Anymore
Most times, a connection that a commentary team shares often see many becoming friends. Schiavone and Heenan became good friends for years after working together on Nitro.
As WCW was ending, so were things running out of control for everyone in the company. Heenan lost his job and wasn’t happy that Schiavone never reached him or tried to stand up for him.
Unfortunately, Heenan died without speaking or reconnecting with his former colleague. Schiavone revealed that he regretted not talking to him before he passed.
4. How Rich Is He?
The sports commentator made a good amount of money from his career. Sources have given different figures regarding his net worth. However, it was revealed in his podcast What Happened When? with Conrad Thompson, that he is worth $120 million.
5. He Started A Kickstarter campaign In 2021
Schiavone made an announcement about a Kickstarter campaign for a biographical graphic novel titled Butts in Seats: the Tony Schiavone Story. The graphic novel would reference his commentary on WCW Nitro on January 4, 1999.
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