Tony Schiavone Reflects On Andre The Giant’s Role In Wrestling Before WWE

On the latest episode of What Happened When with Tony Schiavone, the AEW broadcaster discussed Andre the Giant and more. You can check out some highlights below:

On Andre the Giant: “Andre was more of an attraction that went everywhere. I know he was booked by Vince and his dad and he was this [an attraction], but it wasn’t — until the run with Hogan, he was not, I don’t think, a real fixture on a regular basis in the WWE or WWF, or WWWF territory. It was the Carolinas, you know, in the territory days, he went all over. Because hey, he was an attraction.”

On chair shots: “I don’t know if they ever show this when they talk to wrestlers. But you know, wrestlers are now talked to about concussions, chair shots. And those are basically no-nos, outlawed as far as wrestling companies are concerned. Then again, you can’t really control what the ultimate thing is going to happen.

“And I say that because — I can’t say because guys are going into business with themselves. I can say that because in the heat of the moment, and fans are going crazy, and you’re spent, and things are exciting, and you’ve pushed? Sometimes things like that happen; they do. But there’s repercussions for hitting people in the head with a chair now. As a matter of fact, there should be. That’s why you see a lot of chair shots in the back now. Those aren’t easy to take either.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit What Happened When with an h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.