Posted on 6/24/125 by Bob Magee
Wrestling broadcaster Tony Schiavone says a chance encounter
with a rescue dog backstage at an AEW event led him to a
life-changing friendship—and a cross-country adoption from
Monroe-based Motley Zoo Animal Rescue.
It started when former WWE and AEW wrestler Saraya arrived
at a show with a Chihuahua-beagle mix. “Holy smokes,”
Schiavone recalled thinking. “I love Chihuahuas. I love
beagles. It’s perfect.”
Saraya told him the dog came from Motley Zoo in Washington,
where her boyfriend had adopted it for her.
That conversation stuck with Schiavone. The next time AEW
held a show in the Seattle area, he contacted Motley Zoo.
Director Pate made the trip out to his hotel to show him a
few adoptable dogs, but the specific litter Saraya’s dog
came from was already adopted.
Still determined, Schiavone browsed the rescue’s website and
spotted a small dog resembling the Chihuahua he’d recently
lost.
He told Pate, “I’m gonna come get that dog.”
In the meantime, he and his wife also adopted a beagle named
Bucky from a rescue in Atlanta.
His wife assumed that was the end of the adoption journey,
but Schiavone had already promised Motley Zoo he would
follow through.
Using frequent flyer miles, he flew to Seattle, took an Uber
to Monroe, and brought home a dog named Dobby—all in one
day.
“He’s been my little buddy ever since,” Schiavone said. “He
follows me all around the house. He won’t even go upstairs
at bedtime unless I’m there.”
The experience solidified his bond with Motley Zoo.
He now donates monthly to the nonprofit and credits its
staff, especially Jme and Pate, for their dedication.
“I just want to see them prosper,” Schiavone said. “I know
the people. I know what work they do.”
Though based in Georgia, Schiavone says he’s “fallen in love
with the area” and has visited the rescue multiple times.
“It’s gorgeous here,” he added.
Schiavone’s passion for animals and wrestling intersect in
unexpected ways. A veteran voice in professional wrestling,
Schiavone first broke into the industry while announcing for
a minor league baseball team owned by Jim Crockett
Promotions.
That led to a long career with WCW, where he became one of
the most recognizable commentators of the 1990s.
After WCW folded, he worked in sports radio and as an
official baseball scorer before eventually returning to
wrestling with AEW in 2019—thanks in part to encouragement
from fans and AEW President Tony Khan.
Schiavone praised Khan’s deep knowledge of wrestling
history, including minute details like the shade of a pink
bowtie Schiavone wore at Halloween Havoc 1991.
“He remembers more of my career than I do,” Schiavone said.
He also spoke about his longtime friendship with Jim Ross,
who helped him land his first major contract with Turner
Broadcasting in the late 1980s.
“Because of Jim Ross,” he said, “I called my wife and said,
‘We’re making some big money.’”
Now, after decades in the business, Schiavone said he’s more
appreciative than ever of the athleticism and diversity in
modern wrestling.
Though he admits some of the risks concern him—like the
increasing use of dives and tables—he’s impressed by talents
like Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, Toni Storm, and Mercedes
Moné.
As for what fans can expect at AEW’s Wednesday’s show in
Kent?
“You’re going to see great matches. You’re going to see
great athletic contests. Guys do things that make you go,
‘Wow,’” he said. “And hopefully, more dogs.”