Tag: taz

Taz gives positive update on recovery from knee replacement surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Taz is progressing well in his recovery from knee replacement surgery.

The AEW commentator and ECW legend shared an update with fans on Wednesday night, writing that things are going “really well.” He’s been doing physical therapy and his knee is healing quickly.

“I know a lot of u asked & have sent me good wishes in my rehabilitation of my knee… Just a quick update. It’s going really well!,” Taz tweeted. “I’ve been training really hard at PT & my knee is healing/getting strong rapidly!”

Taz had surgery done on his knee in October and has been away from his AEW commentary role while he recovers. He was written off television with an angle on the October 2 episode of Dynamite where it was said that Taz had been attacked in the parking lot. His son, Hook, vowed revenge against the attackers — who were later revealed to be Christian Cage and The Patriarchy.

A match between Hook and Patriarchy member Nick Wayne will take place when AEW runs the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City later this month.

In May of this year, the 57-year-old Taz, revealed that a doctor had told him that he would need both of his knees and shoulders replaced. Taz said at the time that he was going to attempt regenerative procedures and try to deal with the pain. The issues were caused by training too heavy in the gym over his career.

Hook to confront Taz’s attacker on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

Hook recently put his detective hat on, has figured who attacked his father, and intends to handle his business on this Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

In a short video released on X Thursday, Hook said he has seen the security footage and now knows who attacked Taz recently two weeks ago which was never shown on air.

“This Wednesday on Dynamite, I’m going to handle it,” he said.

Taz was written off in storyline as being attacked in a parking lot before Dynamite as he needed to undergo knee replacement surgery. There is no timeline for the former WWE and ECW star’s return to the broadcast booth.

One possible assailant is Christian Cage who recently used the term “hook, line and sinker” in a promo which sparked some suggestions that he could be behind the attack.

Here’s the current lineup for Salt Lake City, Utah:

  • ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe defends against Chris Jericho in a Ladder War match
  • The Elite (Young Bucks and Jack Perry) vs. Daniel Garcia & Private Party (Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy)
  • Hook confronts Taz’s attacker(s)

Daily Update: WWE NXT notes, Taz, Maria Kanellis

Posted on by Joseph Currier

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The new issue of the Observer is on the site today. Our lead story is the most detailed coverage of the new AEW TV deal, an analysis of what it means for business, profits losses, what the deal does and doesn’t cover, FOX rumors and analysis and much more. We also have a major history piece looking at the 2024 Hall of Fame and the candidates and their credentials.
  • Value of the deal for each specific year
  • What the deal does and doesn’t cover
  • Update on the PPV business
  • What AEW is losing in the deal
  • How PPV will be distributed
  • Quotes from Tony Khan and WBD
  • MAX and cable distribution
  • Breaking down expenses, revenue, profits and losses and the financial future of AEW
  • Analysis of the potential FOX deal
  • A look at the first NXT show on CW, business, ratings and how the segments did
  • Update on Bad Blood and WrestleDream, including interest levels for both shows
  • A look at the 2024 Hall of Fame voting, candidates and favorites in each category
  • A rundown of the leading candidates, some of who you would know and wouldn’t.
  • New Japan building King of Pro Wrestling–What business lesson was reinforced by CMLL Noche de Campeones this past week
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the major television shows, competition, comparisons with a year ago, placings and segment-by-segment
  • Woman wrestling star retiring to become a referee
  • CMLL head gives stats on how many fans come to Arena Mexico from other countries
  • What major celebrity was at Shinjuku Face for a pro wrestling show
  • Hall of Famer having 40th anniversary show
  • Major Japanese celebrity does two matches this week
  • Notes on the deaths of Pete Rose and Kris Kristofferson and both men’s connections to pro wrestling
  • Jimmy Hart prior to wrestling
  • AEW and WWE current injury rates
  • What percentage of fans watch shows live vs DVR
  • AEW video game notes
  • Major star opening up a gym for post-wrestling business
  • International TV ratings
  • Injury stats regarding PowerSlap
  • What famous boxer turned down a two fight series with Conor Mcregor
  • How many people watched the Mr. McMahon documentary and an approximation of how it would compare to a regular WWE TV show
  • Martha Hart reacts to the documentary

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Randy Orton vs. Je’Von Evans main event from last night’s NXT.
  • Orton and Evans shared a moment after the match with Orton appearing to tell Evans, “It’s okay. You’re the f*cking man” when Evans apologized for botching their planned RKO spot.
  • WWE has a post-show interview with Orton, who called Evans “incredibly humble” and said Evans has nothing but respect for the business.
  • PWInsider reports that CM Punk was backstage at NXT in Missouri last night and was giving advice to talent.
  • For the second straight week, a vignette aired on NXT hyping the arrival of Australian wrestler Delta.
  • Max Burger in Longmeadow, Massachusetts thanked Paul “Triple H” Levesque & Stephanie McMahon for eating at their restaurant recently:
    • You never know who will stop in to clothesline a few burgers
    • Thank you Triple H and his lovely wife Stephanie for dining at our establishment and be so kind to take a quick photo with us! We hope you enjoyed our little town and dining experience!
  • Set to “It’s Supposed To Hurt” by House of Protection, WWE uploaded a music video recapping the CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre Hell in a Cell match from Bad Blood.
  • The Manchester Evening News spoke with Cody Rhodes.
  • WWE remembered Eddie Guerrero on what would have been his 57th birthday.
  • William Regal tweeted that he believes Guerrero is the greatest all-around pro wrestler of all time:
    • Without a doubt in my mind Eddie was the best all round Pro Wrestler ever. An exceptional in ring command and ability to wrestle anyone in the world without ever meeting them until the bell went, entertaining skills and presence and exceptional (once he figured it out) talking ability. And a very close friend. The greatest.
  • The Cheap Heat podcast interviewed NXT announcer Vic Joseph.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • After undergoing total knee replacement surgery, Taz thanked all of the fans who have wished him well: “I really appreciate all of the get well soon & supportive tweets from so many of you. Thank you very much!!”
  • Maria Kanellis responded to someone on social media who asked if she wants to stay with AEW or go elsewhere when her contract expires at the end of October: “I want to work. I want to help. I want to take care of my family.”
  • Chris Jericho was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.
  • AEW wished Jay White a happy 32nd birthday.
  • AEW has a Timeline video documenting the history between The Young Bucks and Private Party ahead of their Tag Team title match at WrestleDream this Saturday.
  • Josh Barnett praised Oleg Boltin after working with him at NJPW’s dojo:
    • He’s amazing. I knew how strong he was, and he had taken a seminar of mine once before. I was checking up on him as much as I could, but the best way to get to know someone is to wrestle them in the ring. I could feel the way he was thinking, using the ropes and the corners to try and gain leverage, and I could feel he was very smart. I was surprised with some of what he tried, and I just want more. Give me someone like that, and I can make him a champion for sure.
  • Here’s the announced lineup for this Thursday’s episode of TNA Impact:
    • We’ll hear from TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth
    • X-Division title number one contender’s match: Leon Slater vs. Laredo Kid vs. Jason Hotch (winner challenges Mike Bailey next week)
    • The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) vs. ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey)
    • Jordynne Grace, Masha Slamovich & Sol Ruca vs. Wendy Choo, Rosemary & Tasha Steelz
    • Josh Alexander vs. Eric Young
    • We’ll hear from Mike Santana
  • During a virtual signing for K&S WrestleFest, Gail Kim said that Xia Zhao (former WWE wrestler Xia Li) is signed with TNA.
  • MLW announced a new multi-year action figure deal with PowerTown Wrestling for their Galoob Brand. The figures will be available in 2025.
  • Johnny Swinger and Harley Cameron have been confirmed for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s debut events in Windsor, Ontario, Canada on Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20. Cameron will accompany QT Marshall for his match against Bhupinder Gujjar on night one.

Taz undergoes successful total knee replacement surgery

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Taz is recovering from surgery.

The AEW announcer wrote on X Tuesday that he had undergone successful total knee replacement surgery, saying it had gone well.

“Look on my face when I requested room 13 and they missed by 5!” he joked. “Surgery went well, now the work begins.”

On October 4, he wrote that he would be getting the surgery “very soon”.

“Unfortunately, I will be out for awhile. I’ll be having total knee replacement surgery very soon. Talk to you guys down the road,” he wrote at the time.

The former ECW and WWE star was written out of AEW on last week’s Dynamite when announcers explained to viewers that Taz had been attacked in the parking lot before the show. Hook has since promised revenge on whoever attacked his father and announced over the weekend that he’ll be confronting the person who attacked him on Tuesday’s Dynamite.

Taz has been an announcer for AEW since officially joining the company in 2020. His son Hook is a former FTW Champion and after winning the title from Chris Jericho last month, gave the title back to his father, officially retiring the championship again.

AEW commentator Taz undergoing total knee replacement surgery

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AEW commentator Taz will be away from television for a while due to knee replacement surgery.

This week, AEW started an angle where Taz was attacked by a mystery assailant in the parking lot before Dynamite. Nigel McGuinness replaced him on commentary and called the episode with Excalibur and Tony Schiavone.

Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the angle was done as a cover because Taz is undergoing total knee replacement surgery. Taz then confirmed that news in a tweet.

“Unfortunately, I will be out for awhile,” he wrote. “I’ll be having total knee replacement surgery very soon. Talk to you guys down the road.”

Earlier this year, Taz was told that he needed both of his knees and both of his shoulders replaced. The ECW legend said at the time that he was going to keep trying regenerative procedures and dealing with the pain.

Taz, 56, said the issues were not from bumps he took in the ring but were instead caused by training too heavy with weights during his career. He urged younger wrestlers to be smarter than he was and said the industry has changed for the better.

On Dynamite, Taz’s son Hook cut a promo vowing revenge against whoever attacked his father. A feud between Hook and Christian Cage looks to be in the works.

Hook recently retired the FTW Championship and presented the title belt to Taz.

Taz to miss tonight’s AEW Dynamite due to ongoing knee issues

Posted on by Josh Nason
Longtime AEW color commentator and fan favorite Taz said he will miss tonight’s episode of Dynamite due to ongoing issues with his knees.

The 56-year-old took to X to give fans the latest update, saying that due to treatment on one knee and a procedure on the other, “flying/travel just not possible” to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He then said he will be back next week for Dynamite in Everett, Washington.

Last week, Taz revealed that doctors told him that he needs both of his knees and both of his shoulders replaced, but that he is opting for regenerative treatment vs. surgery at this time.

He said the bumps he took in the ring over his 15-year career weren’t the reason for all of his injuries, but from training too heavy in the gym “like a caveman trying to be big.”

After making a guest appearance in October 2019, Taz signed a multi-year contract with AEW in January 2020.

Here’s a look at tonight’s currently announced lineup:

  • Kenny Omega will make an important announcement
  • TNT Champion Adam Copeland defends against Brody King
  • Orange Cassidy vs. Trent Beretta
  • Mariah May vs. Harley Cameron
  • Swerve Strickland & Christian Cage face-to-face
  • Serena Deeb to speak
  • Chris Jericho & Big Bill in action

AEW commentator Taz has been told he needs both knees, shoulders replaced

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though he’s been told that he needs both of his knees and shoulders replaced, Taz is opting against surgery right now.

The 56-year-old AEW commentator wrote on social media that, while a “highly acclaimed orthopedic surgeon” has informed him that he needs the four joints replaced, he’s not going to have it done now. Taz is instead choosing to keep trying regenerative procedures and will attempt to deal with the pain.

Taz said the issue with his knees and shoulders is from training too heavy in the gym during his career, not the bumps he took in the ring. He urged today’s wrestlers to be smarter about how they train:

Went to a highly acclaimed orthopedic surgeon yesterday to discuss my knee. It’s been brutal for a couple of years, he did testing & X-rays on me. So, both of my shoulders & knees need to be replaced. 4 joints. I am not doing this right now. I’m gonna keep trying regenerative procedures & try to suck it up dealing with the pain.

*This is NOT from bumps… It’s from training too heavy like a caveman trying to be ‘big’. I’m posting this for today’s wrestlers, please be smarter, times have changed for the better!!

A former ECW champion and WWE wrestler, Taz retired from in-ring competition in 2002 and only wrestled once after that, returning for a quick squash of Jerry Lawler at ECW One Night Stand 2006. He’s worked as a commentator for WWE, TNA, and AEW.

Taz signed with AEW in 2020 and is part of the announce team for Dynamite. He’s the father of AEW wrestler Hook.

AEW’s Hook says Taz told him to be ‘anything but a pro wrestler’ when he was younger

Posted on by Ian Carey

When Hook was younger, Taz wanted him to be “anything but a pro wrestler.” 

Hook and his father both spoke to the NY Post recently and discussed Taz’s hesitation to encourage his son to go into the same industry he did. 

“When I was younger, my dad told me to be anything but a pro wrestler,” Hook said. “As I got older, things changed, and the business today is not the same business that he broke into.”

Taz began training his son in early 2020 along with Pat Buck and Curt Hawkins at the Create a Pro wrestling school in Hicksville, NY. It didn’t take long for Hook to convince his father that he could be successful in the business. 

“I realized [our] third session, he’s something pretty unique here,” Taz said. “And that was it.”

“He’s gonna be handled different,” Taz continued. “He’s unique. I can’t tell you what it is about him that’s unique, but I could tell you keeping him special means you’re not gonna see him every single week on TV. You’re not gonna see him where he’s constantly on social media or doing stuff like that. Good luck. I can’t even get the guy to return a text message.”

“We might not see Hook for a little bit, but when he’s there, it’s something like, ‘Boom!,’ impactful, like what the hell just happened,” Taz said. “That’s Hook. That’s kind of what he is. A lot of people want more. You know what, last I checked, that’s a good thing.”

Hook will team with Action Bronson on Wednesday at AEW Grand Slam. They will take on The Jericho Appreciation Society’s Angelo Parker & Matt Mendard in tag team action. Taz says Hook and Bronson are similar to the team of Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart, describing them as “the Porsche and the tank.” 

“That’s always stuck in my head,” Taz said of the team. “Imagine getting two guys that have that kind of vibe, and that’s what I think when you see Hook and Action Bronson compete. You’re gonna see the Porsche and the tank. I promise you.”

AEW reveals four-man commentary team for Rampage

Posted on by Bryan Rose

AEW has announced the commentary team for their upcoming new show on TNT, Rampage.

During tonight’s episode of Dynamite, it was announced that Excalibur, Mark Henry, Chris Jericho, and Taz would be the commentary team for Rampage, with the first episode taking place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 13.

It was announced previously that Henry would be a part of the commentary team when he made his debut for AEW back at Double or Nothing in May. Excalibur currently does commentary work for both AEW Dark and AEW Dynamite, with Taz joining him on commentary for Dark. Jericho has appeared multiple times on Dynamite’s commentary over the past year.

The first match for Rampage was announced during tonight’s episode of Dynamite, as Britt Baker will defend the AEW Women’s Championship in her hometown against Red Velvet.

Rampage will not air live every week, but will for shows prior to pay-per-view events. The first episode of Rampage will air live, as well as an episode that will air prior to All Out on September 3. Another episode of Rampage will air at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois on August 20.

Ricky Starks wins FTW title on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new FTW Champion was crowned on tonight’s Dynamite.

Ricky Starks defeated Brian Cage during tonight’s show to win the championship for the first time. The finish had Starks originally go to use the FTW title as a weapon, but Powerhouse Hobbs refused to let him do it. Hook, on the other side of the ring, then distracted the referee. Hobbs used this moment to strike Cage with the belt, allowing Starks to pin him to win the championship after a spear.

After the match, the rest of Team Taz celebrated Starks’ title win and walked to the back, leaving Cage behind.

Cage had held the title for over a year, with Taz awarding Cage the title on the episode of Dynamite that aired on July 8, 2020. In recent weeks, there had been dissension with Cage and the other members of Team Taz, which led Taz to make the match for the title in order to resolve the group’s differences.

The FTW Championship was a title Taz held in 1998 and 1999 due to being unable to challenge for the ECW World title at the time.

FTW title match announced for AEW Fyter Fest night one

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A match for the FTW title will take place on the July 14 edition of Dynamite.

On tonight’s episode of Dynamite, Taz mentioned that neither Ricky Starks or Brian Cage were there with the rest of Team Taz and mentioned that sometimes teammates need to battle it out. He then made the match for July 14, the first night of Fyter Fest, where FTW Champion Cage will defend against Starks.

Dissension between Cage and the rest of Team Taz has been building in recent weeks, with distractions by Team Taz costing Cage a match against Hangman Page at Double or Nothing back in May. Last week, Starks tried to give Powerhouse Hobbs the FTW title to use in a match against Hangman Page, but Cage prevented him from doing so. Page eventually was able to score the win.

The first night of Fyter Fest will take place at the H-E-B Center in Cedar Park, Texas. The second night, which will take place the following week on July 21, will be held at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas.

AEW Dynamite video highlights: Moxley-Omega contract signing

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Jon Moxley made his World title defense against Kenny Omega official on last night’s AEW Dynamite. 

After Omega signed the contract last week for their match at December 2nd’s Winter is Coming, Moxley put pen to paper on this week’s Dynamite. Before signing, Moxley laid Omega out with a Paradigm Shift. 

Hikaru Shida defeated Anna Jay to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship on Dynamite. After the match, Abadon entered and left a blood stain on Shida’s title belt. 

In the Dynamite opener, Hangman Page defeated The Dark Order’s John Silver. Dark Order’s Evil Uno made a recruiting pitch to Page after the match. 

A week before Cody Rhodes and Darby Allin face Team Taz’s Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks, Taz choked out Rhodes with a Tazmission. 

Chris Jericho and Jake Hager of The Inner Circle defeated SCU’s Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian after MJF hit Daniels with his Dynamite Diamond ring. Scorpio Sky saved Kazarian and Daniels from a post-match attack from the entire Inner Circle. 

In the show’s final match, Butcher and Blade beat Death Triangle members PAC and Rey Fenix after an assist from Eddie Kingston. Kingston and his family assaulted Death Triangle after the match, but Lance Archer ran in to make the save and attacked Kingston. 

For more of what you missed, including TH2 vs. Top Flight and Powerhouse Hobbs in action, scroll down. 

More coverage from last night —

AEW Dynamite video highlights —

Hangman Page vs. John Silver, Hangman is invited to join Dark Order

Kenny Omega promo on Jon Moxley

Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Lee Johnson

Taz & Cody Rhodes confrontation

TH2 vs. Top Flight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKTq7W9E5Qs

Chris Jericho & Jake Hager vs. SCU (Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian)

Jon Moxley/Kenny Omega contract signing

AEW Women’s World Championship match: Hikaru Shida vs. Anna Jay

PAC & Rey Fenix vs. The Butcher & The Blade

Will Hobbs joins Team Taz on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Will Hobbs turned on Cody Rhodes and TNT Champion Darby Allin on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, joining Team Taz. 

The main event featured Allin and Rhodes teaming against Team Taz’s Brian Cage and Ricky Starks whom they have feuded with for weeks. Cage pinned Allin with an avalanche Drill Claw. 

Team Taz continued to assault Rhodes and Allin after the match had ended, leading to Hobbs running in with a steel chair. It first appeared as though he was coming to Allin and Rhodes’ aid as he has done in the past. Instead, he dropped the chair, lifted up Cage’s FTW title belt, and laid Rhodes out with it, kicking off his heel turn. 

After Hobbs lost to Cage in an FTW title match on the October 7th Dynamite, Taz spent weeks courting Hobbs in a series of in-ring and backstage segments. 

Hobbs, riding a two match winning streak and a winner in six of his last seven, will be in action on next week’s Dynamite against an opponent to be named.

Brian Cage & Taz set to appear on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Brian Cage and Taz will appear this Wednesday on Dynamite.

AEW’s social media confirmed tonight that the duo will appear on the show this week. This follows the events of Fight for the Fallen, when Taz threw in the towel for Cage after Moxley applied an armbar. Cage recently had bicep surgery, which caused Taz to throw in the towel.

After the match, Cage immediately attacked Moxley. However, he was saved by a returning Darby Allin, who attacked Cage with his skateboard, sending Cage out of the ring.

Matches announced for this week’s Dynamite include Hangman Page vs. V of the Dark Order, Ivelisse vs. Diamante, The Young Bucks vs. The Butcher & The Blade in a falls count anywhere match, and Chris Jericho & Jake Hager vs. Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy.

Additionally, Cody will defend the TNT title against an opponent yet to be named. MJF, with Wardlow, will also be in action.

Darby Allin’s first match back in AEW will take place on Dark tomorrow, facing Robert Anthony.

Taz reintroduces FTW Championship at AEW Fyter Fest

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The FTW Championship, last seen in ECW, was reintroduced at Fyter Fest tonight.

Prior to tonight’s show, Taz had promised a major announcement on social media. When he came to the ring with Brian Cage, he was carrying something in a black bag. He eventually revealed the FTW Championship, a championship he introduced in ECW in 1998 that was eventually unified with the ECW World Championship.

Taz emphasized that no promotion has never recognized the title, but people know that whoever holds the title is the baddest son of a bitch on the planet. He said that Cage was no longer an uncrowned champion, he is the FTW champion.

The move comes as Cage is set to face Jon Moxley for the AEW World title at Fight for the Fallen next week. Originally scheduled for tonight, it was moved to next week after Moxley’s wife, Renee Young, tested positive for COVID-19.