Reason Revealed for Ian Riccaboni’s AEW Dynamite Commentary Spot

Fans tuning into the June 25, 2025 AEW Dynamite tapings were quick to notice Ian Riccaboni’s voice on commentary — and now the reason for his appearance is out.

According to Fightful Select, the move is part of a plan to lighten Tony Schiavone’s workload during AEW’s jam-packed double taping schedule.

With AEW frequently filming multiple shows in a single night, the company made the call to shift Schiavone primarily to interview duties to ease the strain. That opened the door for Riccaboni, who’s no stranger to the AEW and Ring of Honor audience.

Riccaboni has earned a strong reputation thanks to his work on ROH broadcasts and AEW Collision, where fans praised his sharp commentary and deep wrestling knowledge. Now, with the hectic taping schedule, he’s stepping up to the Dynamite desk more often — and it sounds like this could be the new normal during busy production nights.

Love him or hate him, Ian Riccaboni is filling some big shoes — and AEW is betting on his experience to keep the action flowing while Schiavone focuses elsewhere.