Eventually, this particular wrestler's ring name would be shortened and he'd go on to become an ECW Heavyweight Champion. Then, he'd become a popular announcer in WWE, but it wasn't always so rosy for the man. Long before he was known as the 'Human Suplex Machine', Taz went by the moniker 'Tazmaniac' and had a very different character. Portrayed as a barefoot wildman, the Tazmaniac didn't cut promos and was one of the most bizarre gimmicks ECW ever came up with. Looking for all the world like he'd be more at home jobbing on an early-1990's episode of WWF Superstars, Tazmaniac defied the odds by mixing up the character and emerging as one of ECW's most cherished hard men. It can't be denied, as the Tazmaniac there was little chance that the man would become World Champion. Something needed to change, and it did in 1995. Following a serious neck injury, the guy decided to change his look and style. There was no going back, but only those of a certain age will remember hearing about the Tazmaniac. He's often referred to as both Taz and Tazz, but rarely as Tazmaniac.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.
