Shawn Dean Explains What He Looks For In Talent He Recruits As AEW Extra Coordinator

Shawn Dean explains what he wants to see from talent that he recruits as AEW’s extra coordinator, including ring psychology.

Throughout AEW’s history, lesser known independent wrestling talent as featured as part of shows, including AEW Dark and Dark Elevation. Additionally, they are commonly present for squash matches on AEW programming, with the talent usually being selected by Shawn Dean, who works as AEW’s extra coordinator.

While speaking to King Of Kings in a new interview, Shawn Dean spoke about what he wants to see from talent that he recruits to do extra work for All Elite Wrestling.

“One of those things that I look for when I’m out there scouting is, are you TV ready? Are you looking at who you see as a star, and how do they look? I’m not saying you have to look like them, dress like them, but see what they’re doing. What is your style? What are you about? Then apply that and put it together. Then, can you wrestle? I can teach anybody can learn how to wrestle. I honestly believe, my trainer, QT (Marshall), he said ‘We can teach you to move, I can’t teach you personality.’ That’s real. We’re out here doing the moves, and that’s cool, but let’s get the crowd invested in more than just your moves, why else are they going to come see you? Do you have a character that’s going to grip them? Another thing I’ll tell them, work on your characters. Moves, you can learn the moves. Work on your character, make the crowd want to see you. TV ready, character, learning your craft. I’m not saying you’ve got to be a historian, but learn ring psychology.”

Elsewhere in the same interview, Shawn spoke about recruiting Je’Von Evans and Jackson Drake for AEW appearances. You can read more about that here.

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