AEW expands talent relations and development team, Impact Wrestling talent joins the company as a coach

By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

AEW issued the following press release on Wednesday to announce the expansion of its talent relations and development team.

August 3, 2022 – AEW CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan announced an expansion to  AEW’s talent relations team with the promotions of key staff members including Sonjay Dutt, QT Marshall, Pat Buck and Tony Schiavone. In addition, Madison Rayne will join AEW as a  coach in the women’s division.  

As AEW continues its meteoric rise, the expanded talent relations team will strengthen the  infrastructure required to facilitate the development, health and safety of AEW’s outstanding  roster. The following promotions and additions are effective immediately: 

Sonjay Dutt (Retesh Bhalla) has been promoted to Vice President of Production and Creative Coordination. In this role, he will coordinate communication of AEW storylines, liaise between post-production and key staff to maintain content workflow, produce ancillary content and  mentor new producers. Dutt joined AEW in 2021, bringing more than 20 years of experience in  professional wrestling – both in-ring and as a producer – and continues to serve on-screen as  manager to Satnam Singh and Jay Lethal. 

QT Marshall (Michael Cuellari) has been promoted to Vice President of Show and Creative Coordination. He will help to manage show elements including planning programs and  storylines, character development, overseeing extras and live event logistics coordination. Marshall, an AEW original with more than 20 years of experience, will continue to wrestle as  the leader of The Factory with Anthony Ogogo, Nick Comoroto, Aaron Solo and Cole Karter. 

Pat Buck (Pat Buckridge) has been promoted to Vice President of Talent Development. In this  position, he will liaise with talent and production, oversee all coaches, provide input on  matches and promos, and lead the talent relations team. Buck brings nearly two decades of  experience serving wrestling promotions as a talent, trainer, producer and promoter. 

Tony Schiavone has been promoted to Senior Producer and Special Advisor to Talent. In this capacity, he will work directly with talent as part of the Talent Relations team. Schiavone is one of AEW’s most tenured members and has nearly 40 years of experience, with an iconic voice  that has guided fans through professional wrestling’s most incredible moments. 

Madison Rayne (Ashley Nichole Lomberger) will join AEW as a coach in the women’s division, and kick-off her new role tonight in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio. Madison has competed  in numerous professional wrestling promotions where she has held multiple championship  titles, including 5-time Women’s World Champion. She has more than 15 years of experience in  professional wrestling, and is also a proud mom to a daughter. 

Christopher Daniels, an AEW original who brings more than 30 years of industry experience, will  continue to serve as Manager of Talent Relations. The Talent Relations team will also remain in  close contact with AEW’s Legal and Talent Resources team – led by Margaret Stalvey, Chris Peck  and Megha Parekh – who help to support the physical and mental health, safety and security of  talent. AEW is also committed to supporting talent beyond the ring, and offers access to world class physicians, trainers and mental health clinicians. 

Powell’s POV: It’s good to see the company adding staff members. It will be interesting to see if they will start to add more business executives as the company grows. It feels like the company could use a Nick Khan type to help on the business side, particularly when it comes to negotiating a new television deal or find alternatives, even if the alternatives simply give the company leverage in their negotiations with Warner Bros. Discovery. In all fairness, it’s possible that someone is already doing that type of work and it just hasn’t been publicized. On a side note, with Madison Rayne being added to the coaching staff, one has to wonder if her husband Josh Matthews will eventually join AEW in some capacity or if he will remain with Impact Wrestling.