AEW’s Thekla has offered an unexpected glimpse at the personality of commentator Tony Schiavone away from the announce desk, revealing that she recently watched him perform stand-up comedy and was caught off guard by the material he brought to the stage.
Thekla, who is headed into a major opportunity at AEW All Out, discussed Schiavone during an appearance on Inside The Ring. Asked about her favorite AEW commentator, the “Toxic Spider” initially took a playful approach to the entire broadcast team before singling out the veteran voice for his particularly surprising sense of humor.
“My favorite commentator? They’re all cute. I like Tony because he’s vile. I saw his stand-up comedy a couple of months ago and I was utterly surprised at all the crazy sh*t he was spitting.”
The comment was notable because Schiavone is broadly recognized by wrestling fans for his extensive work behind a commentary desk. Whether calling matches, helping establish the tone of a major show, or reacting to the ever-changing situations around an AEW broadcast, he has long occupied a prominent on-screen role. Thekla’s remarks point to a very different outlet for Schiavone’s personality, one that she clearly did not expect before seeing it firsthand.
For more background on this topic, read Thekla Downplays Mercedes Moné’s ‘Five-Foot Dumb Blonde’ Remark Ahead Of AEW All Out.
When she was asked to confirm that Schiavone really performs stand-up comedy, Thekla did not hesitate. She made clear that she was not joking about the commentator stepping into that environment, and she described the act in terms that matched her own unapologetically provocative character.
“Yes, yes, and it’s wild. It’s insane… It’s nasty-dirty. Just how we like it, baby!”
For Thekla, the revelation also fits the colorful and often unpredictable atmosphere surrounding AEW. The promotion’s wrestlers, commentators, and other on-screen personalities can frequently show sides of themselves beyond their most familiar television roles. In Schiavone’s case, Thekla’s story suggests that the polished professional heard on wrestling broadcasts has a much more adult-oriented comedic side when he is performing stand-up.
Thekla Heads Into A Defining AEW All Out Match
While the Schiavone anecdote provided a lighter moment in the conversation, Thekla has far more consequential business awaiting her at AEW All Out. She will face Willow Nightingale in a match with direct AEW Women’s World Championship implications.
The winner of Thekla versus Nightingale will earn the right to challenge Mercedes Moné for the AEW Women’s World Championship at WrestleDream. That stipulation gives the contest enormous importance for both competitors. It is not simply a high-profile singles match on a major event; it is a pathway to one of AEW’s biggest prizes and a future championship encounter with Moné.
Thekla’s distinctive “Toxic Spider” presentation has made her a singular presence, and a victory over Nightingale would move her immediately into the title picture. Earning a match against Mercedes Moné at WrestleDream would be a defining opportunity, particularly given the stature attached to the AEW Women’s World Championship and the attention that naturally follows a contest with its reigning champion.
For Nightingale, the stakes are equally straightforward. She has the chance to deny Thekla that breakthrough while putting herself in position to pursue the championship. The matchup therefore creates a clash of ambitions as much as styles: both women enter All Out knowing that one win can change the direction of their respective campaigns.
One Win Away From Mercedes Moné
Mercedes Moné looms over the All Out contest because the destination is already established. Thekla and Nightingale are competing for the chance to meet Moné at WrestleDream, making every exchange in their match meaningful beyond the immediate result.
Championship eliminator-style matches carry their own kind of pressure. A wrestler does not need to defeat the champion on the night in order to alter the title landscape, but they must first overcome another hungry contender. Thekla’s route is clear: beat Willow Nightingale at All Out, then prepare for Mercedes Moné at WrestleDream.
That structure also adds another layer to Thekla’s promotional appearances before the pay-per-view. She can joke about a commentator’s unexpectedly explicit comedy set, but the central issue remains the upcoming match and its championship consequences. Her willingness to speak in such a frank, theatrical manner is consistent with the energy she brings as the Toxic Spider, yet the assignment in front of her is exceptionally serious.
There is also an interesting contrast between the two subjects Thekla addressed. Schiavone’s role in AEW is to help narrate the action and guide viewers through the major developments surrounding the company. At All Out, Thekla will be one of the people creating a development that Schiavone may ultimately have to call: the emergence of the next challenger for Mercedes Moné’s championship.
Schiavone’s Comedy Story Adds A Different Kind Of Spotlight
Thekla’s account does not reveal details about Schiavone’s routine beyond its tone, but her reaction is emphatic. She characterized the set as “wild,” “insane,” and “nasty-dirty,” while expressing genuine surprise at what she heard. Her comments paint the picture of a performance that diverges sharply from the composed, broadcast-ready demeanor audiences may associate with him.
That surprise is precisely what makes the story stand out. Wrestling commentators are often closely identified with the voices and personalities they present on television, especially figures with as much experience as Schiavone. Thekla’s comments provide an unusual reminder that an on-air role can capture only one aspect of a performer’s interests and creative expression.
Her wording also made the moment feel less like a conventional endorsement and more like an amused discovery. Thekla did not merely say that Schiavone was funny. Instead, she stressed that the nature of his comedy caught her off guard, then leaned into the fact that the material was adult and deliberately dirty. It was a memorable answer from a wrestler whose own persona is built around danger, attitude, and a willingness to embrace the unconventional.
As AEW All Out approaches, the conversation gives fans a brief detour from the escalating title picture while still keeping Thekla in focus. Her story about Schiavone may be an unexpected one, but it arrives at a moment when she is preparing for one of the most important matches on her AEW schedule.
All Out Could Reshape The Women’s Championship Picture
Thekla versus Willow Nightingale has a simple outcome with major ramifications: one woman advances to WrestleDream with an AEW Women’s World Championship match against Mercedes Moné secured, while the other is left to regroup after falling short of that immediate title opportunity.
For Thekla, that possibility gives her every reason to enter All Out with confidence and urgency. Her comments about Schiavone demonstrated the same unfiltered voice that has helped define the Toxic Spider, but there is no mistaking the scale of the prize waiting on the other side of Nightingale. A victory would place her directly in line for the championship and give her the opportunity to test herself against Moné on a major stage.
Until then, Thekla can add one more unexpected AEW observation to the conversation: Tony Schiavone, in her view, is not only a veteran commentator but also a stand-up comedian with a very dirty edge. The next chapter, however, will be written in the ring at All Out, where her pursuit of Mercedes Moné’s AEW Women’s World Championship begins with Willow Nightingale.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.