Tony Schiavone praises AEW star Samoa Joe: ‘He’s got the respect of everyone backstage’
While working together in AEW, Tony Schiavone has developed an immense respect for Samoa Joe.
Joe was the subject of Schiavone’s What Happened When podcast this week ahead of AEW WrestleDream. On the podcast, Schiavone said he didn’t know all that much about Joe until they became co-workers. He praised Joe as one of the most professional people he’s ever been around.
“He is one of the most professional guys I’ve ever worked with backstage, ever,” Schiavone said. “And when you say, you tell Joe, ‘Hey, Joe, we got a pre-tape for you to do.’ He goes, ‘Okay,’ gets his Trios belt — or back when he had the World title belt — will follow you and go do the pre-tape. Immediately. He doesn’t say, ‘Well, I got to call a match, or I’ve got to go to catering, or I got to go to see the doc.’ Immediately. He’s just such a pro. And it’s been an absolute honor to be able to work with him.”
Schiavone said he’s not alone in having so much respect for Joe, who is highly regarded in the AEW locker room.
“What a tremendous person and a legit, legit athlete. I got a lot of time for him. I really do,” Schiavone said.
“Everybody respects Samoa Joe. Everybody watches his matches, likes to learn from what he can do. And he’s just wonderful. Yeah, he’s got the respect of everyone backstage. And I really think that not only everybody in AEW backstage, but probably anybody that ever worked with him.”
Joe has the chance to become AEW World Champion again when he challenges Hangman Page at this Saturday’s WrestleDream pay-per-view. Joe’s first reign with the title lasted for nearly four months in 2023-2024.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.