The conversation started with Chimel being asked if Irvin’s comments irritated him.
After Samantha Irvin departed WWE, she responded to several comments online about her exit and mentioned that she did not like ring announcing and that was only supposed to be her way in the door at WWE. She added that she loved watching the action, but did not love announcing.
Tony Chimel, a former WWE ring announcer who was with the company for over two decades, weighed in on Irvin’s comments. He joined Donnie DaSilva and Jimmy Korderas on their HUGE POP! podcast and was asked if Irvin’s comments irritated him.
Chimel responded and then went on to make his case for being the greatest ring announcer of all-time. He said if it’s not him, then it’s Howard Finkel.
Well, here’s the point: To me, ring announcing — and (Jimmy) Korderas, you would back me on this — was like one-fifth of my job. I just didn’t show up at 3 or 4 o’clock, do rehearsals and you know? If I could be in a gym for eight hours a day, I wouldn’t look like this. But, not that I would be in a gym for eight hours a day anyway but… if alls your doing is ring announcing, seriously, to me, you’re working three hours a week. I don’t know. I mean, I would have loved that gig because they’re probably getting paid more than me anyway. But I didn’t. I was there 6 o’clock in the morning making sure the show was being done right and making sure rooms are set up and running the production office and taking care of money and you know, oh, yeah, it’s time to go do rehearsals. Okay, let me go do that and now it’s the show. Okay, now I gotta go back to the production office and that’s one of the main reasons why I say I’m the G.O.A.T. of ring announcers and I say that a lot. People, ‘Oh, you’re not the GOAT.’ Well, to me, there’s only one other choice. If I’m not the GOAT, who would that be Korderas?… Yeah (it’s Howard Finkel), and my point, to me, it’s like The Beatles or The (Rolling) Stones. Who’s better? Well, to me, I love The Beatles and I love The Stones but you know what? I think I did it a little bit longer than Howard, I did a lot more house shows. Howard would do The Garden and TVs and WrestleManias and stuff. I was out there doing house shows and I love me some Fink. But in my mind, yes, he’s number two and he’s great and God bless him, he’s a Mets fan too. But, I consider myself the GOAT because I did it longer than anybody else and I think I did it better than anybody else and I did more than just that. I mean, can you imagine our day Korderas if we just came in and was a referee? Are you kidding me? I just come in and I got two matches to do? Or yeah, what do you mean? I’m just coming in… the show starts at 8 and at 11 o’clock, I can walk away? What? I don’t have to tear anything down? I don’t have to change and get — God.
Chimel works with All Elite Wrestling on a semi-regular basis. The company’s former Vice President of Live Events and Touring, Rafael Morffi, got Chimel’s foot in the door.
The idea of Chimel returning to WWE to ring announce for John Cena’s retirement tour was brought up and he said he thinks AEW would be fine with him doing that. Chimel is open to ring announcing for AEW as well.
Well, that’s nice of you to say (my introductions & John Cena’s entrance go together). I mean, I don’t know, like I said, I’m willing to listen to anybody, you know?… You know what? They’re (AEW) pretty free with their guys and I’m sure if — you know, I can talk to my bosses over there… I don’t think anyone would have a problem. I would do it for AEW too if they wanted me to, you know, do something for them so…
Following up on that, Donnie DaSilva mentioned that AEW already has Justin Roberts who he said has been ‘ripping’ Chimel off for years. Chimel responded by saying he loves Justin.
Well, I love me some Justin (Roberts). He’s a good kid.
A new episode of AEW Dynamite is airing on 2/12. The show was taped because the roster and staff are heading to Australia for their Grand Slam TV special. Reviews of those shows are going to be available at this link.
If the quotes in this article are used, please credit HUGE POP! with Donnie DaSilva and Jimmy Korderas with an H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions.
