by In the fast paced, ever evolving world of All Elite Wrestling, there are performers who shine under the bright lights, and then there are figures whose influence is woven into the very fabric of the company. QT Marshall is a rare breed who manages to be both. He’s been a producer, a coach, a confidant, and an on screen antagonist, a testament to his adaptability and deep seated love for the wrestling business. During a candid appearance on AEW’s official podcast, AEW Unrestricted, with hosts Aubrey Edwards and Will Washington, Marshall offered a revealing look into his journey, his mindset, and the spontaneous origins of some of AEW’s most memorable recent moments.
The Man of Many Hats (And No Title Needed)
When asked about his official title within AEW, a place where roles can be as fluid as the action in the ring, Marshall keeps it refreshingly simple: “Just the guy that wears a bunch of hats. That’s good enough for me.” This humble attitude, however, belies a deeper, battle tested philosophy about his role in the wrestling world. He sees the danger in getting caught up in labels, explaining, “I’ve always felt that having a title just sets you up for failure more than anything.”
Instead, he’s built a career on a simple, yet powerful, mantra of relentless hard work and a willingness to step up wherever he’s needed. It’s a philosophy that has made him one of the most trusted figures backstage. “You just keep saying yes and figure out a way to get it done, good things happen,” he asserts. This approach has seen him rise from an assistant role to one of the company’s most essential cogs, a journey built on earning trust one task at a time.
An Unlikely Alliance: The Big Boom Story
That “say yes” philosophy was put to the ultimate test when a social media story involving TikTok stars Big Boom AJ and his son, Big Justice, exploded into a real life wrestling moment. For Marshall, it was a chance to reconnect with a friend from the very beginning of his career and create something truly special.
“I’ve known AJ since 2005 on my first independent show that I ever did,” Marshall recalled. “I kind of took his place, he was retiring, and he kind of anointed me as the guy that was going to wave the American flag.” When the opportunity arose to bring the viral father son duo in for a match against him at Full Gear, QT knew it had to happen, but he had to convince a hesitant AJ. “It wasn’t that easy,” he confessed, explaining that AJ “didn’t really want to do it… we had to kind of convince him a little bit.”
The match itself became a highlight, not just for the feel good story, but for a moment of genuine, unscripted drama. AJ, wrestling with a foot injury, was determined to give the fans a spectacle. Marshall shared a look behind the curtain, revealing a conversation they had in the ring: “I’m on the ground, I’m telling him, ‘You don’t have to go to the top rope.’ And he’s like, ‘I gotta do it!'” For QT, the entire experience was a career defining moment. “It’s one of the highlights of my career,” he stated. “When you get out there and you have that many people being that invested into every single thing that you do, you really get to soak in that moment.”
Spontaneous Combustion: The Birth of QTV
Marshall’s knack for creating opportunities extends beyond on off moments. The formation of the entertainment focused faction QTV was born from a late night burst of creative energy from the top.
“One night at about 3 in the morning, we were working on the show and Tony Khan had this idea,” QT explained. “He said, ‘Have you ever seen the movie Popstar?’ I said no, I haven’t. And he kind of mentioned this like TMZ spoof… And the whole entire thing was going to be propaganda for Powerhouse Hobbs. That was the whole idea.”
A key part of that group’s success was the inclusion of the multi talented Harley Cameron. Marshall knew she was a perfect fit, but even he was surprised by the depth of her skills. “I never realized all the stuff that she could do,” he admitted. “I didn’t realize how talented she was. But within one conversation with her on the phone, I could just see she was hungry for any type of opportunity.” That hunger, combined with her ability to sing, speak Chinese, and even perform ventriloquism, has made her a breakout star. For Marshall, it’s a testament to the simple formula of hard work and a positive attitude. “Work hard, keep your mouth shut, listen, never say no… Don’t be a pain to deal with.”
A Champion’s Break: The Bodybuilding Pivot
Even the man who never says no needs a break. Marshall touched on his brief time away from AEW in late 2023, a period that led to a surprising physical transformation and a new perspective on the grueling nature of the business.
“You just get burnt out,” he said candidly. The decision to enter a bodybuilding competition started almost as a joke. “Out of nowhere, I said I was going to do this bodybuilding show. I was half kidding, but I did sign up for it… and then Billy Gunn, who was my training partner at the time, he kind of held me to it.”
The experience, while torturous, was exactly what he needed. “By the time I left, my blood pressure was pretty high, I was pretty stressed… and then a month later, I was in perfect health. I mean, I was down like 20 pounds.” The break, and the subsequent win in his bodybuilding debut, reaffirmed his love for the business and the importance of finding balance in a non stop industry.
The All In Mentality: Embracing the Journey
Wearing an “All In” t-shirt for the interview, a nod to the event that started it all, Marshall reflected on AEW’s incredible growth, from what critics once called a “t-shirt company” to selling out stadiums around the world.
“I think Texas is going to be amazing,” he said of the upcoming All In event at Globe Life Field. “I think we’re going to pull out an incredible week of shows, but especially the stadium show.” He understands AEW’s place in the wrestling landscape and embraces it. “We are, no matter what anyone thinks or what anyone says, at the end of the day, we are and probably will always be the challenger brand. And I think that’s why a lot of people want to support us.”
Through it all, QT Marshall remains a foundational piece of AEW’s success. He’s a wrestler first, a producer, a coach, and a mentor who understands the value of every person in the company, from the main event stars to the crew. His story is one of perseverance, adaptability, and an unwavering belief in the power of professional wrestling. He may be the “guy who wears a bunch of hats,” but it’s clear that under every single one of them is a mind and a heart that is truly, and completely, All In.
