WWE
ECW Legend Tazz Interview Highlights
Background
Even though ECW Legend Tazz hasn’t been on WWE programming since taking on a commentary role in 2009, he won’t be forgotten. Tazz (or Taz) had been one of the greatest front men of ECW, where he held a slew of championship belts. That includes the most prized possession, the World Heavyweight Championship. He was picked up by the WWE in 2002, but due to untimely injuries, would later be pushed to the color commentator.
Unfortunately, Tazz would walk out during an episode of ECW in April of 2008. He would later tell Right After Wrestling that it “pisses him off” when companies try to recreate the original ECW. Tazz isn’t the first one to have said something publicly against the WWE’s failed attempt, however.
Apter Chat Interview
Tazz did recently have an interview with Apter Chat, and he had a lot of interesting information on his hands. Here’s some of TSJ’s favorite parts:
On his name:
“The initial thought of it came from the Tasmanian Devil because back then, gimmicks were popular. Everywhere. Everybody had gimmicks…I was an undersized guy, being like 5’9” so I figured I needed something. When I was younger, a lot of guys would call me “Taz”. I didn’t want to get comical, and didn’t want to get sued by Warner Brothers…I kinda said let me make it the Tasmaniac. Which is a little different.”
On his early influences
“I was a hybrid to be honest with you. The Missing Link, The Wild Samoans, The Steiner Brothers. Mike Tyson. Mike Tyson used to wear a towel over his neck. He wore low black boots, black trunks, no frills, towel. A little bit of the Human Suplex Machine, a lot of it, was inspired by Mike Tyson. He was from an area of Brooklyn called Brownsville, which wasn’t far from where I was from. I could relate to him.”
Locker room trouble
“That’s why the locker room hated me. I acted that character, the Human Suplex Machine. To portray that character, I had to live that gimmick. I believed I was the Tasmaniac, The Human Suplex Machine…that’s who I was.”
On his broken neck
“I broke my neck in 1995 in Fort Lauderdale. It was me and Eddie Guerrero against Too Cold Scorpio and Dean Malenko. I was out nine months, and that’s when during that time I was sitting home stewing. Paul [Heyman] was like my psychiatrist on the phone. And, he paid me every week he was supposed to pay me if I was wrestling. That’s why I was so loyal for so long–because he paid me. I just got married, come home from my honeymoon, and break my neck. It sucked.”
Disagreeing with Vince
“Vince was concerned once I signed the deal. He was like, ‘Some of the stuff you do is a little bit scary for some of the guys.’ I go, ‘These guys are 6’9″. 7’. What am I? I’m a little guy. What are you scared of me? ‘Some of that stuff, you look like you’re killing guys.’ Well, that’s my job Vince. My job is to look like I’m killing you.”
Ashley Sweetly Writes
So, I went and read through the entire interview. It was a tough read, honestly. ECW Legend Tazz jumps around quite a bit, and it was hard for me to follow in his explanations. I did really enjoy where he points out that Paul Heyman was so good to him, which is why he was loyal to the ECW brand. Many former ECW Legends have said the exact same thing, which makes me hope that the WWE will forever have a place for Paul.
I also think the bit about Vince McMahon was intriguing. However, I can certainly see Vince’s point. The ECW brand was awesome, but it had a different set of rules and standards. So, it would not be a shock that some of the homegrown Superstars would be a little intimidated by some of the things and ECW original would be willing and able to do. Tazz did the best he could with the limitations given, but overall, it’s really too bad that it didn’t work out as well as anyone might have hoped.
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Picture credit: daysofthundr46 via Wikimedia Commons
