Ian Riccaboni

Early life

Riccaboni was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania where he graduated from Salisbury High School in 2005. He graduated from New York University in May 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Media and Communications and in May 2010 with a Master’s Degree in Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania.

Riccaboni first appeared on television when he was cast in a 1996 KidsPeace commercial featuring former Major League Baseball pitcher Jim Kaat. Riccaboni would spend his early summers as a batboy for the Allentown Ambassadors of the independent Northern League (baseball, 1993–2010). A fan of pro wrestling from a young age, Riccaboni’s mother would take him to professional events put on by World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling, and Extreme Championship Wrestling in his native Allentown.

Start on Television

While attending NYU during his freshman year, Riccaboni answered a casting call to be a part of a special to air on MTV called The Notorious B.G., hosted by Gideon Yago with special guest Bill Gates. In early 2006, Riccaboni was cast for an MTV-U commercial for their Best Music on Campus competition, of which Riccaboni was a competitor for his performance on guitar, harmonica, and vocals.

While at NYU, Riccaboni played baseball and was a Dean’s Scholar, playing gigs around New York and NYU, including a gig opening for the cast of Spring Awakening at an NYU event in Gould Plaza. Riccaboni graduated NYU as the Class of 2009 president and received the President’s Service Award. After graduating NYU in May 2009, Riccaboni pursued and completed a Master’s Degree from Penn in Education Management. During his time at Penn, he made his return to television, playing bass guitar as the lead singer for the house band on “Hump Night with Kris Fried” on Service Electric TV 2.

Phillies Nation TV (2012-2015)

Riccaboni began writing as a full-time contributor to USA Today award-winning blog Phillies Nation in November 2011. In 2012, Phillies Nation began producing Phillies Nation TV and Riccaboni began appearing on the show, interviewing minor leaguers and famous Philadelphia Phillies fans, including Marc Summers and Tony Luke. In 2014, Riccaboni conducted a four-part interview with Curt Simmons for the show and in 2015 interviewed Brad Lidge and Bobby Shantz. In association with Phillies Nation, Riccaboni released a book, “The 100 Greatest Phillies of All Time” on September 15, 2015.

Ring of Honor (2014-present)

Riccaboni began his professional wrestling announcing career after a chance meeting with The Blue Meanie, Brian Hefron. Riccaboni was to interview Hefron as part of his “beat” of interviewing famous Philadelphia Phillies fans and the two were searching for a location. Hefron suggested The Monster Factory in Paulsboro, New Jersey to hold the interview. While filming the segment, Riccaboni met Monster Factory owner Danny Cage. Riccaboni would phone Cage about getting started in pro wrestling after the completion of the segment before beginning to work with the Monster Factory as an interviewer and commentator.

Through a camp with Ring of Honor broadcaster Kevin Kelly and wrestler Bob Evans, Riccaboni was discovered and asked to attend an ROH tryout camp. Riccaboni started as a personality with Ring of Honor at Future of Honor 2 in July 2014. Riccaboni called his first match with Ring of Honor on Saturday January 3, 2015 which featured Cheeseburger and Chris LeRusso. In May 2015, Riccaboni made his debut as a ring announcer with Ring of Honor, announcing the first match at the Global Wars 2015 TV taping. Riccaboni served as an in-arena host for Ring of Honor live events, as well as a commentator for Future of Honor and Women of Honor matches before assuming the role of lead announcer airing starting with the February 25, 2017 episode.

Community involvement

Riccaboni is a member of the Upper Dublin Historical Commission and teaches at Holy Family University.