July 22nd 2024.
Tony Chimel, the legendary ring announcer for WWE, has recently traded in the bright lights of the wrestling ring for a more relaxed pace at the local grocery store. After nearly forty years with the company, Tony was unfortunately let go during the pandemic, along with many other talented individuals. But he hasn't completely left the world of professional wrestling, as he now works as a producer for rival company All Elite Wrestling. However, his main focus these days is his job at Trader Joe's, which he absolutely loves.
When asked about his new gig, Tony shared, "My main job now is working at Trader Joe's grocery store...I genuinely enjoy being there and working with my colleagues. I also still work for AEW a couple of times a month, which allows me to stay connected to the wrestling world and hit the road occasionally. But I'm happy to say that I don't travel as much as I used to, and I couldn't be happier about it. I love both of my jobs now."
While Tony has made appearances on WWE's Raw and the revived ECW brand, he is best known for his work on SmackDown. His iconic introduction of "Rated R Superstar" for Hall of Famer Edge will forever be remembered in the history of wrestling. In fact, he even had the opportunity to recreate it when Edge's wife Beth Phoenix was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.
Speaking of Beth Phoenix, she played a big role in Tony's Hall of Fame experience that year. She invited him to the ceremony as her guest, and Tony was honored to be a part of it. Tony's journey with WWE began in the 1980s, when he was hired for a mere $16,000 a year. He eventually worked his way up to becoming the head of the ring truck, which came with a pay increase to $20,000 a year.
"When I first joined, we were considered employees. We had to go to Stamford, Connecticut to sign all the paperwork and be hired by Titan Sports. At that time, my friend Joey was making $20,000 a year, while I was only making $16,000 in November of 1983," Tony reminisced on the Behind The Turnbuckle podcast. "But a few years later, when Joey stopped announcing and became a referee, I was able to take over as the head of the ring truck and make the 20 grand."
Despite spending the majority of his working life with WWE, Tony is grateful to have found a fulfilling life outside of the company. "I realized that there is life after WWE, because I started at 22 years old and now I'm 60. I never knew about Trader Joe's, but I was lucky to find a job there," he shared on Chris Van Vliet's Insights podcast. It was actually his daughter who introduced him to the store, and she was thrilled that her dad was now a part of it.
Tony has noticed some similarities between his old job and his new one, saying, "There are a lot of similarities because WWE's goal was always to put a smile on people's faces, and at Trader Joe's, our goal is to wow the customers and make them happy. It's all about creating a positive experience." Despite leaving WWE, Tony is still connected to the world of entertainment and continues to bring joy to people's lives in his own unique way.
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Five lucky Metro readers have a chance to win tickets to this all-day event filled with music, performances, and a strong sense of community. To enter, simply fill out the form below before noon on July 28. This contest is open to UK residents over the age of 18, excluding those from Northern Ireland. Terms and conditions do apply.
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