Tony Schiavone Reveals The Only Two Times He Got Nervous Before Shows

Tony Schiavone says that there are only two times he’s had butterflies before calling shows, with the most recent coming just a few weeks ago. The AEW commentator has been in the business for over four decades and has called countless shows. He was asked during an appearance on The Danny Ocean Show if he still gets nervous before shows, and he noted that he never has outside from two occasions.

Schiavone noted that the first time he got nervous was his WWE debut at Madison Square Garden in 1989, and the second was his tribute to the late Ted Turner on the May 6th episode of AEW Dynamite. You can see the highlights below:

On If He Gets Butterflies in His Stomach Before Shows:

“Okay, I’ll tell you this, and this is a true story. No, they’re not there. And here’s the true story. I have never — I’ve only had butterflies twice in my life. And it was the first time I did a show at Madison Square Garden. Me and Lord Alfred Hayes, 1989. I think I mentioned, Hulk Hogan and the Big Boss Man on the main event. That day I flew to Boston to do an event on the New England Sports Network. So that was a big day for me, but doing Madison Square Garden.

On Getting Them For His Ted Turner Tribute:

“The second time I got butterflies was — and it was just recently — going in the ring and honoring Ted Turner. Because I wrote that script and buddy, I studied my ass off. And I’m thinking, ‘This is a big deal. This is Ted Turner, and this is Turner Broadcasting Systems that I’m talking on. And I’m going to bring out Sting, and we’re going to talk about Ted.’ Those were the only two times I had butterflies.”

On Not Generally Getting Nervous:

“I can promise you that even my first time on TBS, I never got nervous. I just, I don’t get them. And maybe that’s part of the longevity, I don’t know. But those are the only two times I can remember really getting nervous and getting butterflies.

“But other than that — hey, I’m just calling wrestling. I’m just putting over a bunch of knuckleheads in the ring, that’s the way I look at it, that I know really well and I love and have a profound respect for what they do. And I’ve always thought that I’m only as good as what’s in the ring.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit The Danny Ocean Show with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.