AEW Commentary Change Caused By Family Tragedy

AEW had a shake-up to its commentary team to its Collision announce team recently and now more insight has been given into what caused it.

Kevin Kelly was recently fired by AEW after his social media comments landed him in hot water with the company. That led to a space opening up on the Collision announce team but it seems there is no permanent replacement despite ROH announcer Ian Riccaboni calling the action recently on the show.

However, it seems that Riccaboni was on hand after a family tragedy struck Collision’s lead announcer Tony Schiavone.

AEW Commentary Switch Not Permanent

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer gave more insight into Ian Riccaboni appearing on Collision and noted his addition to the broadcast team on AEW’s Saturday night show is not permanent:

It’s not a permanent move for him to be there. What happened was, Tony Schiavone’s dog died and best wishes to Tony Schiavone. Really, really hard day for him but he came, he was there. But they didn’t know, Tony certainly could have taken it off and there would have been no heat but because of that they brought Ian up there and that’s the reason Ian was there.

I thought ‘oh with Kevin Kelly being gone, Ian’s gonna be the permanent guy’ but I was told no, he was there because if Tony didn’t want to work, Ian would be there and lead the show but Tony wanted to work and that’s the story on that one.

Everyone at TJR Wrestling sends their condolences to Tony Schiavone and his family on the loss of his beloved dog, Bug.

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