AEW Enhancement Talent Coordinator Shawn Dean Shares Advice For Wrestlers On How To Get Signed

AEW

AEW star Shawn Dean – who also works as an enhancement talent co-ordinator for the company – has shared tips on how up-and-coming stars can get signed.

Alongside being an in-ring star, Shawn Dean’s role as enhancement talent/extras co-ordinator sees him scout independent stars to fill on-screen roles, that fans may expect to see in squash matches or ‘security’ among other categories.

For some stars, their exposure on television ramps up the likelihood that they will catch the attention of AEW or WWE management, something Dean reflected upon during an appearance on the Kings of the Ring podcast, saying:

“Behind-the-scenes, I do work for AEW as an extra enhancement co-ordinator, so my job is like for the last six years has been finding talent around the world now to come in and be enhancement talent for AEW, when we’re in their cities or anywhere close to their cities.

“I never take credit for getting people signed or doing anything like that, I just give them the opportunity. But, people that I’ve helped put on is like: Willow Nightingale, Daniel Garcia, Lee Moriarty, Skye Blue, The OutRunners, Queen Aminata.

“On the other side, Je’Von Evans, Madi Wrenkowski (Wren Sinclair), Thea Hail, Kiana James. I’m trying to think of their names. Jackson Drake.

“These are like, not only are these like people that I helped put on, these are the homies. I rock with every last one of them.

“There are more names, and I’m sorry if I didn’t mention you, but it’s been plenty of people that I put on, put in positions that even if they didn’t get signed, they come to AEW and they get mad love.”

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When it comes to the advice he’s shared with talent looking to step up, it’s not just focused on in-ring ability, with Dean stating:

“My biggest thing is, when I finish this, I want to be able to keep putting people in position to get on it, do this wrestling thing. I didn’t know how to do this. I had to do my own research, stumble upon some things, and it all worked out, but I want to be able to be the one that’s finding, scouting, looking for the next best thing.

“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.”

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TV Time For Enhancement & ExtraTalent

There’s something rather fun about watching a televised wrestling show, be it WWE or AEW, and seeing stars from the local wrestling scene on the screen.

Last year, Will Kroos was a member of CM Punk’s security detail during the March 28 episode of WWE SmackDown, with the British wrestling star now better known as Mason Rook in NXT.

While that appearance may have been in the capacity of an extra, getting the opportunity to step into the ring, even if it is a squash match, against an already signed talent is definitely a moment to shine. It offers the chance for a signed star to see what the talent can do, while being witnessed by production names and higher-ups.

Dean citing a number of talents that he has brought to television reads like a list of personalities, suggesting that his focus on character and personality really is a key component, with wrestling ability being the skill that has been taught.

For some, being an enhancement talent is just the first foot in the door and being able to demonstrate what they can offer in the ring is an important moment.

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• Shawn Dean
• enhancement
• AEW
• nxt
• wwe

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