Tazz Gone from WWE? [Archive] - WrestleZone Forums

Tastycles

03-31-2009, 12:21 PM

He was shit, so it's safe to say I don't care. Matt Striker has long been (6 months plus) the best commentator in wrestling. It's about time he stepped up on the big show, Smackdown.

As for ECW, Jerry Lawler is already in the building, he'll do. Or bring back Scott Goldman, he's good. Or Elijah Burke. Or JBL. Fuck it, I could go on.

JBL is about to retire. I thought he was going to end up being the General Manager for one of the brands, but maybe they'll just bring him back as a colour commentator.

I quite liked Tazz, largely because he didn't appear to have a clue as to what was going on.

If they don't go with JBL, Striker deserves a promotion, and they should bring the gu who used to do heat with Grisham back for ECW because their pseudo gay chemistry was quite good.

PDecicco

03-31-2009, 12:27 PM

Y 2 Jake

03-31-2009, 12:29 PM

WrestleMania is probably a great payday for the commentators as well. If a guy is leaving then why would WWE want him to make some good money before he leaves. Also on the other hand, why would Tazz sign for another extened period of time just for one show.

It's possible that Mania starts off with JBL vs. Rey, then his announcement is that he's going to work on commentary.

Fratelli

03-31-2009, 12:32 PM

i'll believe it when i see it. or hear it rather.

seems ridiculous to leave right before wrestlemania and miss out on a big send off and also a big pay check. maybe he wanted to stay one more week and vince wouldnt give him wm25 because lack of commitment.

infact vince may be onto something if im correct, have all contracts of superstars end the week before mania and if the dont resign keep them off the card and miss out on a big pay day whilst sitting at home unused.

justinsayne

03-31-2009, 12:41 PM

i'll believe it when i see it. or hear it rather.

seems ridiculous to leave right before wrestlemania and miss out on a big send off and also a big pay check.

Not really, it says his contract expires today, WWE isn't going to sign him to a short term contract for one more event, that would stupid, and what the hell has Tazz done to deserve a send off?, they never gave Coach a send off and he did far more for the company than Tazz

Little Jerry Lawler

03-31-2009, 12:50 PM

If JBL retires soon I can see him going back to Smackdown or Striker moving to Smackdown from ECW. Tazz was okay but he didn't really contribute anything even when he was with Cole.

PDecicco

03-31-2009, 12:51 PM

Not really, it says his contract expires today, WWE isn't going to sign him to a short term contract for one more event, that would stupid, and what the hell has Tazz done to deserve a send off?, they never gave Coach a send off and he did far more for the company than Tazz

It's not about Tazz having done so much for the WWE or about his contract running up, though.

I haven't heard a single thing about Tazz being unhappy in his role and I haven't heard a thing about WWE being unhappy with Tazz.

He recently got put back on a bigger show, which means they have at least some faith in him. As the truth is he's been doing this for a while and he's really not that bad.

So I can't imagine him not wanting to return, especially right before a big pay day. And I don't think WWE was rushing to not resign him.

Which is why I don't believe this.

The big difference between Tazz and Coach is simple. Coach wanted to leave, I don't think Tazz does.

rolltide_pisco

03-31-2009, 01:12 PM

I think there is more to this story than we know. I would like to try and figure out why he has left. Maybe he's just got fed up with everything the WWE is doing right now. Maybe he's made enough money that he decided to retire and spend with his family you never know.

jellmoo

03-31-2009, 01:13 PM

BigRed007

03-31-2009, 01:20 PM

What's that saying about rumors and wrestling? They are like peanut butter and jelly, they go together. Just because the "internet" says Tazz quit or his contract expired or whatever does not mean it is 100% true. The night before Jerry Lawer returned in 2001 on his official website he denied he was returning. Everyone thought Jeff Hardy's attacker was Christian instead it was Matt Hardy. I say take what eve rthe internet says with a grain a salt. Wasn't there also rumors of Sable, Debra, Sunny and Hulk Hogan being at Wrestlemania but those are all false too?

donutman

03-31-2009, 01:25 PM

Its time to bring back Joey Styles. Either promote Striker to Smackdown and bring Styles back to ECW or put Styles on Smackdown. Win/Win situation either way. Why? Because we get to hear, "CAT FIGHT!" and "OH MY GAWD!!"

thebigbadfox

03-31-2009, 01:25 PM

Iagree with some of the posters before till I see him off of TV I do not believe in the rumors... The only thing if it is true is I will miss him not for his commentating... he was only ok but I will miss him because he does remind me of the good old days of EC Fin W. He was very good in ECW before its failure.. and even OK with WWE when he started.

mikeRC

03-31-2009, 01:37 PM

If Tazz bows out of wrestling then it's a damn shame. He was a great, innovative but ultimately underrated wrestler (by WWE anyway). His commentating wasn't cutting edge but it wasn't bad. You didn't turn off Smackdown because Tazz was terrible, unlike the Coach and Cole pair.

Brilliant wrestler and a pretty good commentator. Overall it's a loss for WWE

Fear Of Drowning

03-31-2009, 01:44 PM

It is a real shame if he has gone, he was always a very good company man (whether that was ECW or WWE) and was a true lover and scholar of wrestling. His commentary was always entertaining and insightful for me.

It is strange, I was only watching the Rise and Fall of ECW dvd today and the extra where he told a story about asking for Heyman's blessing prior to his Royal Rumble debut (99 or 2000) vs Angle at the Msg was extremely moving. He wrestled and commentated with a passion and for one will be missed by me.

suneeboy

03-31-2009, 01:48 PM

Thank God Tazz is gone, I despise his commentary. He says dumb things all night long, and he studders like a complete fool. He can't even get his thoughts together properly. His commentary doesn't sound natural, and it doesn't flow. He'll say one statement, then contradict it in the very next sentence and not even realize. Then he'll try to sound like he knows what he's talking about by describing a submission hold and how it affects a certain part of the body but just comes off sounding like a moron.

I hope JBL or Striker get to call matches with JR, or that they team JR and the King back up and go with Michael Cole and JBL. When JBL did color for the Rey match last week, King didn't even really talk, he just let Cole and JBL call the match. It was great, they have the best chemistry together, and if they get a good run together like JR and the King they will be in the Hall of Fame (JBL already will be in the Hall of Fame, but Michael Cole will get to go in as an announcer.)

Showtime 24/7

03-31-2009, 01:52 PM

A good move. Tazz has been an average commentator for a number of years and it will really be a nice change to see someone else on SD. Striker would be a good pick to be his replacement. He has showed on ECW to be the best colour commentator out of the whole bunch. The WWE being short on good commentators, he'll probably end up working both shows, much like how Grisham also does interviews on RAW.

Another name I hope could replace Tazz would be JBL. I loved JBL when he was a commentator. There is talk once again about JBL retiring and I'm sure he will shortly after Wrestlemania. Most of the announcers in WWE today are all faces. JBL was the last great heel commentator and he'll add more opinion and views to the matches which we know JR will strongly support the face. I think him and JR could make an excellent pair. Both wear stetsons and are state rivals. They'll picker and argue with each other and should make the SD shows more entertaining. Or if the WWE wants, they could use this to move JR back to RAW and pair JBL with someone he used to work well with in Cole. Cole's best days were with JBL and maybe he'll get less abuse from the fans if he commentated with JBL again. We'll see what the WWE does.

Big J

03-31-2009, 01:52 PM

I haven't been able to watch smackdown for years and don't know if he was any good.

If he's gone he will probably show up in TNA, either as an announcer or as a team mate for team 3D. They did mention him on Impact last week.

jchristopher512

03-31-2009, 01:54 PM

JTS32

03-31-2009, 02:03 PM

I say big whoop. Better wrestler than commentator, and he never really brought much to any of the shows he was on. He's moving on for whatever reason and he won't be missed by me at least. Get Matt Stryker on Smackdown, or if JBL does retire he and JR could be quite entertaining, or completely annoying. I mean poor front row fans no one could see over that much cowboy hat.

AnthonyMango/NoFate007

03-31-2009, 02:06 PM

Man, I really hope this is true. I couldn't stand Tazz on commentary. His whole vocabulary consisted of stuttering and saying "I'm a big fan of this guy".

Not sure what type of replacement shuffle they could do, though. They've got a few options. Striker definitely needs to be promoted to Raw or Smackdown, though. But they could do JR/Striker with Cole/King or they could go back to JR/King and have Cole/Striker. As for ECW, that's just a matter of filling in the hole. Its the 1 hour show so the guy doesn't need to be as good. JBL could fill in the spot, but I'd rather him be a General Manager type character as he could still get heat and work the managerial role quite well. WWE needs the rest of their performers as performers, I think, so I wouldn't want them to take someone out of the roster just for commentary. Shame they can't find a woman that would be good for the role, just for something a little different.

KillBill

03-31-2009, 02:38 PM

I actually liked Tazz. I didn't have a problem with him announcing, but I think it held him back a bit. He was gold on the mic in ecw, but that was more "r" rated. He stopped wrestling because of a neck injury, so I'm not sure about going to TNA. His career would have been longer and more successful, but the injuries from ECW days caught up to him.

For Those About To Doc

03-31-2009, 02:49 PM

If this is true, it's both good and bad. I happened to enjoy Tazz, but this means they may finally bring back Joey Styles.

But, as others have said, I'll believe it when I see it.

joesgoingtoeatu

03-31-2009, 03:22 PM

jbl's announcement is hell beat mysterio and be the first person to retire with the IC belt and become the new commentator. He's wrestling Mysterio because he was the one to originally retire him and when he beats him he could now retire on " his terms" . I mean this writing isnt hard to figure out lol.

THTRobtaylor

03-31-2009, 03:27 PM

This could signal more...in these credit crunch times WWE is gonna ask more of its employees and it's clear Ross wants to work with Lawler again... I can see a return to the traditional fixed announce team for both shows... Tazz doesn't offer any real "added value" now they have pillaged ECW's legacy... hence why renew a contract? and why accept less money when personal expenses for the road are rising? Tazz can walk into TNA and be an onscreen character and commentator for less schedule... sounds like win/win to me...

JBL was good but I think his retirement is so he can focus on the MMA/OVW buyout and his other business... One option is Michael Hayes, who by all accounts is in line for "demotion" from the writing team job... but my first choice would be Ted DiBiase... his stint in 1994 as a commentator was excellent as I remember... sadly my other picks are not likely... Jake would work, Raven (if he hadn't sued WWE) would have been amazing... and Chris Nowinski is sadly linked to Benoit... All could have really done it...

Failing that I would love to see Vince return to commentary for a while with Mr. McMahons gimmick... play on all the stuff about shouting at commentators and have him shouting at the wrestlers in commentary during the match.. I would not be surprised if Vince ends up commentating the HHH/Orton match so he can "be at ringside"...

Lord Sidious

03-31-2009, 04:12 PM

Maybe Tazz is getting an offer to wrestle in TNA. If all will remember, Tazz was told shortly after his arrival that he was too small to be a big name for WWE. He could either be an announcer or compete only for the lightweight title. I could see Tazz being utilized well in TNA.

Tazz absolutely does not want to wrestle. He is absolutely done. He threw a shit fit when they wanted him to wrestle Lawler at One Night Stand a few years back. They finally worked out a way to do the match, with him to slap on the Tazmission immediately, so it wasn't really a match.

But the guy is an absolute chronic complainer. He treats fans like crap from what I've seen in public several times. And he is an average commentator, at best. I would argue "below average", though. Just very Bland and adds virtually nothing to the show. Good riddance.

I can only assume this means that JBL will be heading to Smackdown with Jim Ross. I guess they will make due with Matt Striker at Wrestlemania with Jim Ross, which Striker has to be thrilled about. But I am expecting JBL's announcement to be that he is retiring at Mania (if he loses ... which I think he will) ... and then go to the booth.

Great news with Tazz, though.

Failing that I would love to see Vince return to commentary for a while with Mr. McMahons gimmick... play on all the stuff about shouting at commentators and have him shouting at the wrestlers in commentary during the match.. I would not be surprised if Vince ends up commentating the HHH/Orton match so he can "be at ringside"...

I have been arguing for Vince to return to the booth for 2 years now. If he wants to start winding down his on-air character, and start handing over more backstage responsibilities to Shane, Stephanie, and Triple H ... the broadcast booth would be an absolutely perfect place for him to go. Vince is world's better than Michael Cole on Play by Play, and is a lot more energetic. He also gets angles over better than Cole ever can. Cole is fine, and I still agree with him being on Raw, because Ross had been the face of Raw for long enough ... but Vince would definitely be a great addition back to the booth on Raw.

Total Impact

03-31-2009, 04:36 PM

I live Tazz as a color commentator with Michael Cole and he was ok wit JR as he actually called the match and wrestling moves instead of JR talking about other matches when a match is already going on in the ring. I think that King will just be calling both Raw & Smackdown matches at Mania or they may just do mix ups throughout the night with striker with cole, striker with JR and stuff like that.

To replace Tazz on smackdown, If JBL doesn't ake the job, then I guess it's Striker by default and Dreamer can be the color guy on ECW or striker could do both shows, but as I look at the WWE roster, I have no clue who could take Tazz's place.

Luther_Hull FTW

03-31-2009, 04:51 PM

If it is true that Tazz has gone then I'm going to throw William Regal's name into the hat. I mean why not? He's not doing a lot now he's done his job of elevating the IC title and now he'll be stuck in the midcard if he carries on as an active wrestler.

I think he'll be a lot like JBL in his colour commentary, although he'd be a heel, he'd always put over new upcoming wrestlers who he believes has talent yet he'd still be despised by them, he'd despise JR, he'd despise the cocky heels and he'd be all round comedy gold at the commentator's table. He has the charisma to be a GM, so why the hell not a commentator?

The Shocktor

03-31-2009, 05:06 PM

Honestly, I couldn't give less of a shit. Tazz never really impressed me as a commentator. As for the Smackdown commentator, I'm hoping they bring back Joey Styles. It would be an amazing asset to the SD! team. The only issue I see with it is that we can't have two play-by-plays. Unlike many others, I would not want Matt Striker or Todd Grisham to go to SD!. There is no way I would want to see them split up. They are, in my opinion, much better than pretty much better than anything Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross or any other announce team have ever have ever come up with.

So basically Tazz, see you. Please let the door hit you on the way out.

DJ-LyRiX

03-31-2009, 07:19 PM

Lord Sidious

03-31-2009, 07:24 PM

I'm quite shocked he's leaving, more just because I wonder what else he could do? Tazz doesn't strike me as a businessman, although I may be wrong there, and he obviously can't wrestle anymore due to his neck.

So I dunno what else he will do.

On a side note, I've always been a fan of his commentary. I also feel pretty bad for JR recently as he's now gonna need to gel with another new color comm.

I think Ross would work very well with either Matt Striker or JBL. Sitting next to someone like Striker would definitely get JR to up his own game, as Striker is extremely knowledgable, and does a fantastic job providing insight on each of the talent, as well as selling the angles. Problem is that Striker, may actually talk more than what JR is normally accustomed to at the booth. Who would have ever thought we would have had this problem?

JR may actually work better with JBL, though. I have always felt that JR works better with a heel commentator like classic Jerry Lawler or Paul Heyman. Seeing them get on his every last nerve provides for some classic moments and overall makes the broadcast much more entertaining than the impartial commentators we have today. I know Vince could change that at the snap of his fingers, but for some reason he seems to think this is the way to go in this day and age. WCW tried that with Heenan and it was a failure. The concept still is a failure to this day, I feel, compared to the classic Face/Heel combinations.

So my votes is JBL for the booth. Ross and Lawler have had their time together. For about a decade. It's just too long and it's time to move on with new pairings, imo.

Big Daddy Fool

03-31-2009, 08:28 PM

Enough with this Joey Styles crap. Why would they bring him back as a color guy that makes no sense. Also hes the most overrated announcer in history. Just because he screams while announcing like a 12 yr old girl seeing a Jonas Brothers concert doesnt make him great.

SUcks for Tazz that he misses out on that Wrestlemania payday but I'm glad to see him go along with a match being referred to as a "rocketbuster", constant Brooklyn references, the stuttering and that stupid laugh. I hope this means JBL goes back to his role as Color guy. He is what a color guy traditionally is supposed to be a heel. Him and JR would be a great combo

DD84

03-31-2009, 08:41 PM

As a few people have said, I am shocked at the news. Although I would not say I am completely shocked as I would if Jim Ross left before WrestleMania, I still am. I thought he would be there for a while, seeing as he already been through the tough years when there was a rumor that all announcers jobs were on the line after JR left. To me it means two things, one Tazz or Taz will go to ROH or TNA and JBL will move to an announcers seat, which one I don't know because they might want to move around some of the announcers and try something new.

rowdy ruben

03-31-2009, 08:43 PM

wasent a big fan of tazz. hope they replace him with striker

Killer Tofu

03-31-2009, 08:55 PM

I hope Jerry Lawler does Raw and Smackdown like he used to.

My second choice would be Matt Striker. He's a natural, but I think he and Grisham are a good team and they don't need to be broken up right now. They'll have their time in the future.

And didn't the WWE sign a commentator in 2007 or last year? I remember hearing about them signing some guy from an indy in Baltimore.

Harthan

03-31-2009, 08:58 PM

I'm certainly not going to believe this just off one internet source...the internet has been wrong as many times as it's been right. I'll be waiting to see if the WWE website puts something up or not. As of now, there's no announcement and his picture is still up.

Now, if it's true, it would seem to me that his contract expired and he decided to quietly. Never heard of any problems with him and WWE.

His replacement on SD has to be Striker, he's really one of the best color commentators to come along in a long, long while. I could see Styles working with Grish on ECW, if he's willing, or if not, that Joey Matthews character (I think he used to work color with Grish on Heat) could work. Or they could try out the Striker concept and put an unused wrestler in the spot. Hell, give Santino a shot. All he's got going for him are his mic skills, so why not. I don't know who else. Pluck some jobber with a tolerable voice and give him the spot, it's more or less what Striker did and look how well he turned out.

Razor Blade Dream

03-31-2009, 10:23 PM

I'm kind of surprised but then again I was never a huge fan favorite of Tazz's commentary. I always preferred his wrestling, but neck injuries put the kibosh to that.

I do have a Tazz moment that stands out in the absolute best in hilarity. It was one of his first announcing gigs. I think it was an episode of Heat or something and Kaientai (Taka and Funaki) were coming down to the ring and Tazz said it is a big day for them being Puerto Rican Day and them being Puerto Rican. He said they were pretending to be Japanese but they were Puerto Rican. "These guys are Puerto Rican from the word go!" Cole kept correcting him and Tazz insisted that they were Puerto Rican. At one point, I think he said, "Nah, these guys are nuttin but a buncha Puerto Ricans! I saw em in Red Hook!"

I found it to be hilarious considering I'm Puerto Rican myself and I'm just as pale as Taka.

CKO

03-31-2009, 10:37 PM

here's another update...pwinsider.com

Tazz gave notice a few weeks ago. He said he needed to recharge his batteries and left "the right way". He was seen with Stephanie and Shane McMahon saying goodbye at TV yesterday. I believe he met with Vince too but I don't know that for sure. If I were to speculate, I think that given the way Vince is in the headsets, after all these years of working with him, it was probably a factor. But, that is only me speculating. For anyone "reporting" that no one would walk away from a cherry job like that for that reason I have two words for you: Mick Foley. Vince is tough to work for, especially when he is screaming into your headsets for two hours. Some people can take it, others, like Foley, choose not to.

Tazz's contract with WWE expires at the end of today. There had been talks on a new deal but Tazz made the call to leave for the reason mentioned above. He was not "future endeavored". In fact, when you work through a contract to its end, it's not even possible to be "future endeavored".

We were told that he offered to do Mania if they needed him, so he didn't leave them in the lurch

realblackhart

03-31-2009, 10:53 PM

pwi insider is a pretty credible source but I don't believe it either. Taz doesn't only announce for Smackdown but he does "This Week in ECW" show on WWE 24/7 alongside Styles. Of course Styles could do the show on his own but I like how they work together on that show. Either way Taz IMO will hopefully stick around.

waylonmercy

03-31-2009, 10:55 PM

Long Live The Tazz!

I always enjoyed him and found him more appealing than Lawler. I do hope Striker gets on Raw as I don't watch ECW but everyone says hes the best color man around.

d_henderson1810

04-01-2009, 01:10 AM

He was shit, so it's safe to say I don't care. Matt Striker has long been (6 months plus) the best commentator in wrestling. It's about time he stepped up on the big show, Smackdown.

As for ECW, Jerry Lawler is already in the building, he'll do. Or bring back Scott Goldman, he's good. Or Elijah Burke. Or JBL. Fuck it, I could go on.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

My brother suggested that Mr Kennedy would be a good colour commentator. Maybe he could replace Tazz, as, let's face it, Kennedy speaks well but is crap in the ring, and he doesn't have to worry about injurign himself yet again.

king168

04-01-2009, 01:20 AM

what if its all a plan?

i mean picture it..
vince thinks hes got us all fooled by thinking tazz is gone right? then when it comes to the jericho match, out of nowhere you hear taz's music play and he comes out and chokes jericho out.. no one would expect it. and plus it would make a pretty bad ass good bye if he really was leaving (if he was) wich i highly doupt since we havent heard anything about him being upset with the wwe

d_henderson1810

04-01-2009, 01:25 AM

If it is in fact true, then I will miss having him around. Tazz is likely my favorite guy doing colour in the company. True, he hasn't been all that great lately, but when he was doing SD with Cole and had a stronger "Heel" edge, I thought he was hitting things great.

It likely isn't a huge blow though, as JR can make almost anyone sitting beside him shine.

The one thing that WWE has to remember is that regardless of who they replace him with, even if it's a retarded monkey with tourettes, they still have a broadcast team that has been scientifically proven to be more than 7.56 times better than Don West and Mike Tenay.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just got to pick you up on your Don West/ Mike Tenay comment. I agree that Tenay and West as commentators are poor. However, I like what they have done with Don West over the last few weeks.

I watched the Six-Sides-Of-Steel Gauntlet Match on TNA Impact last week, which will decide who captains teams in Lethal Lockdown. I enjoyed Kurt Angle's stuff in the match, but what added to it was Don West playing
a heel. I have always thought that the best commentary teams have had a "face" main commentator and a "heel" colour commentator. Jesse "The Body" Ventura and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan were best at it. JBL played this role well too, as he brought experience, while cheerleading for someone like MVP. Paul Heyman commentating with J.R. in 2001 was absolute gold.But Jerry Lawler and Tazz, who were once "heel" commentators, are as much faces as Michael Cole or J.R. .Lawler even fought "heel" Chris Jericho last week. Lawler in his early days was a great heel commentator, but now plays to the fans, and has become a tired, squeaky-voiced bore.

The interplay between Tenay and West was good last week because you had them arguing, and West making excuses for the actions of the Main-Event Mafia. This is how wrestling commentary is meant to be. Granted, West is miles away from any of the great "heel" commentators (because he doesn't have the talent), but at least he is trying. Lawler and Tazz should have at least "tried" to defend the heel's actions a bit more, rather than pander to the fans.

TheOneBigWill

04-01-2009, 03:10 AM

I fail to see the giant reason why anyone could or would care of Tazz remaining with the Company. First and foremost, I can't repeat enough how I don't get Smackdown so it's not like this matters to me one way or another.

However, even if I did, I still wouldn't care. I've never cared for the pussy, watered down version of Tazz. I get that some injury apparently pushed him from continuing to wrestle.. but no one ever mentioned what happened to injure him from calling a match worth a damn. :disappointed:

I doubt he ends up as a Wrestler again, but I do long for the day a one-night return could happen. I'd love to see him wind up in T.N.A, if for nothing more than to have one match.. against Kurt Angle.

GameOver

04-01-2009, 03:10 AM

I don't about this, it just seems like you wouldn't quit right before WrestleMania. And it's so out of nowhere.

I don't remember reading Tazz has been unhappy. I'm sure he's not upset to be on SD! with J.R. Which is promotion from being on ECW. They have to feel somewhat OK with his abilities as a commentator or they would have left him on the C Show.

I fully expect to put on 'Mania and hear Tazz calling some of matches.

If I'm wrong, it doesn't matter because an announcer isn't making or breaking a show. But I don't think he's gone.

It is entirely possible like everything else that it's a work, and maybe something to do with Tommy Dreamers run. in SVR2009 when ya go for the ECW title Tazz comes out towards the end of the storyline citing he's been dissed and that people who cheer for the violence that was ECW are what killed his career

Also could be that like Mick Foley he's sick of Vince yelling in his ear each show.

Personally i could care less, i never though much of Tazz as a commentator he's too "no F'n clue" and always giggling. They should bring Joey Styles back lol. I don't want JBL back in that spot he sucked... He sucks on the mic everytime he speaks whether it's in the ring or out.

Ropow

04-01-2009, 03:55 AM

You could always have Kennedy fill a temporary roll as commentator until he is 100% cleared to wrestle.

Dave

04-01-2009, 07:59 AM

No I think he is actually gone. In all the articles I have read Tazz cites wanting to "recharge his batteries" and spend more time with his family. I personally like Tazz, he and Micheal Cole did have some chemistry. A shame to see him go but I have a feeling we might see him again in a couple of years. Maybe like the way J.R. and King left independently but they still returned. I dunno about who will replace him though. Maybe Joey Styles but I like the idea mentioned previously of JBL vs Mysterio as the first match and JBL then taking over as colour commentator.

AgeOfOrton

04-01-2009, 09:00 AM

This really shocked me i thought Tazz would have had far more years left in him to commentate but obviously not

i wonder who would replace him maybe wel see a joey styles return to commentary doing what he does best not on wwe.com lol

ztwhite

04-01-2009, 09:20 AM

Not to sure about this, but I thought Tazz and Victoria were married. For some strange reason, I remember hearing this several years ago.

IF... and that's a big if at this point... it's true, that may help explain why Tazz would walk away.

Bollocks Mahoney

04-01-2009, 10:34 AM

Why are people assuming Tazz didn't want to leave? Maybe it was a mutual decision. To be honest, I never really liked Tazz as commentator anyway. It's a role he was just thrown into in 2001 because they had nothing else for him.

I'm hoping that JBL will beat Rey clean in the opening match of 'Mania, then retire as IC champ, and immediatly take over as colour commentator on Smackdown. JBL and JR would be an interesting combination at the announcers table, although I see Good Ol' JR moving back to Raw in the draft. It's okay though, JBL seems to click with Micheal Cole, and I can't say the same for Jerry Lawler. He only seems good when he's paired with Ross.

Joup7

04-01-2009, 11:21 AM

well this is actually good timing.
with the draft in a few weeks, they can legitimately swap broadcasters around.
while Striker is good, i feel that his entire career (active and announcing) was ECW and perhaps he should stay there.
As to who will replace him until the draft and afterwards........I wouldn't mind a program where one of the shows has a guest announcer for every day or even every match. It'd give some of the young wrestlers a chance to develop their talking skills. That'd probably be best for ECW, although putting that on Smackdown might be better because they can learn and improve with J.R. much better than with Grisham.

TerrorHurtz

04-01-2009, 12:45 PM

Here's what I think will happen:
Lawler goes to Smackdown
Striker goes to RAW
Joey Styles returns to ECW.
Todd Grisham goes back to interviewing and WWE Experience stuff and JBL or Regal could commentate for ECW

EricChioda

04-01-2009, 01:08 PM

i have to throw my 2 cents in...WWE needs Jesse "The Body" Ventura back in the broadcast booth! he was great! entertaining and funny. him and gorilla monsoon and him and mcmahon was pure gold!

Crimson Mask

04-01-2009, 01:15 PM

As reported earlier, SmackDown announcer Tazz is gone from World Wrestling Entertainment. His WWE contract expired today and he will not be at WrestleMania on Sunday.

The buzz in the WWE locker room last night was that Tazz gave WWE officials notice a few weeks ago that he would not be renewing his deal. He is leaving on good terms.

Tazz reportedly had been telling friends that he is burnt out and needs some time to recharge his batteries. That said, the door is still open for him to explore other options, including TNA Wrestling, Ring of Honor or even UFC.

With Tazz gone, there will now be an open spot at the SmackDown announcer's table. One name that's been talked about is John Bradshaw Layfield, who is looking to retire from the ring this year and is a former SmackDown announcer himself.

Source: Rajah.com

Not suprising, I'd heard before that Tazz was thinking about leaving, but I thought he'd wait untill after Wrestlemania. Althrough he wasn't the greatest colour-commentator, I enjoyed some of the stuff he did on Smackdown and I thought he was far better than Jerry Lawler and some of the others in WWE. I don't think that TNA or ROH can really offer him anything at this point, so I think he'll return to WWE in some capacity in the future.

Lord Sidious

04-01-2009, 01:28 PM

i have to throw my 2 cents in...WWE needs Jesse "The Body" Ventura back in the broadcast booth! he was great! entertaining and funny. him and gorilla monsoon and him and mcmahon was pure gold!

I rank Jesse Ventura as being behind only Bobby Heenan in the Broadcast Booth on color. And Jesse would definitely add something to today's bland commentators. He had a style that couldn't be mimicked. He was enthusiastic, took the Heel point of view 98% of the time (although did stick up for Macho Man as a Face), always gave McMahon or Gorilla Monsoon a hard time, and had a gift that really got the viewer to care about the feuds.

For any of today's fans not familiar with Jesse's work, I highly encourage you to check out some of his stuff in the broadcast booth, as the guy was a riot. It's just a shame him and Vince aren't on good terms, as he is what is needed in the booth today.

Total Impact

04-01-2009, 07:32 PM

You could always have Kennedy fill a temporary roll as commentator until he is 100% cleared to wrestle.

Or you could have Kennedy just stay at the booth, because as ok as he is on the mic, he wasn’t that good in the ring and he was always gets hurt, so put him in a suit and put him at the booth for good like they did with Striker. People call Tazz overrated, Kennedy is overrated, all he ever did was do his own intro, that doesn’t mean he is killer on the mic. So put him in the booth to replace tazz or move striker up and move Kennedy to Smackdown, but please don’t put a diva on commentary. PLEASE DON”T!!!!

bunnyman1985

04-01-2009, 07:36 PM

if tazz is gone then i always thought scott hudson from the last couple of years in wcw before it was bought was a gud commentator an i also thought when jerry lawler left in the early 2000s an paul heyman replaced him alongside j.r. heyman an j.r was a gud team i thought i always rememeber heyman goin GORE GORE GORE!!!!!!! or BRRRROCKK LESNAR!!!! but the best moment when heyman was announcing was when the whole invasion started an he introduced the wwf audience back then to the ecw group. or they could always go with santino marella alongside j.r now that would be entertainment.
anythin is better then listenin to cole every week goin "OH MY" an "VINTAGE"

bunnyman1985

04-01-2009, 07:55 PM

or they could move striker up to smackdown an move dreamer to sit alongside grisham an do what lawler does an wrestle occasionally

EricChioda

04-01-2009, 09:20 PM

well...our WrestleMania 25 announce team is officially: Jim Ross Jerry Lawler & Michael Cole. we're getting a 3 man team Sunday night

ThE uNdErTaKeR17-0

04-02-2009, 10:10 PM

he was way better than matt striker and joey styles and matt striker probaly my very faveorite smackdown announcer but really what is there to do with tazz he hasnt fought in a a match since ECW one night stand 2006 and is just plain out boring so i say fire him

Milkyway!

04-04-2009, 05:29 PM

Does it really matter? Its Tazz. The only thing ANYONE ever got any entertainment out of him, was for the simple fact that they were making fun of him at the time. I've never once honestly heard a complement, outside of SOME decent matches with Sabu back in their hayday. Tazz is pathetic, his highlight of his career was defeating Jerry Lawler, whos like 59 years old now was like 55-57 during their match. Obviously you guys see how much I care about ECW and what its EVER done for anyone. (Talking about the old days) So who honestly gives a crap if Tazz is gone or not? Not a dadgum soul.