Tony Schiavone, a prominent figure in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), believes the company is in a prime position to succeed due to its focus on cultivating homegrown talent.
Schiavone, speaking on the "What Happened When" podcast, emphasized the importance of promotions creating their own stars, highlighting AEW's success in this regard. He pointed to MJF, the Young Bucks, Hangman Adam Page, and Will Ospreay as prime examples of talent that have blossomed within AEW. While acknowledging the appeal of established stars like Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, and Jon Moxley, Schiavone sees value in the blend of established and homegrown talent within AEW's roster.
"It's important for a promotion to make its own stars, and I think AEW is," Schiavone stated. "With MJF, like him or not, with the Young Bucks, with Hangman Adam Page, who to me is going to be a great freaking heel, holy shit, and with Will Ospreay, who obviously became a star with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but I think it's an exciting time because we've got stars. Swerve Strickland is another one. We've got stars that we have made in AEW, and I think that is the key to any good company."
AEW's commitment to cultivating talent is evident in their recent roster additions, including Will Ospreay, Mercedes Mone, and Kazuchika Okada. The company has also witnessed the rise of stars like Swerve Strickland, who recently captured the AEW World Championship at AEW Dynasty.
Schiavone's comments reflect the evolving landscape of professional wrestling, where promotions are increasingly focused on building their own identities and creating unique stars that resonate with fans.