50 Things You Learn Binge-Watching Every WWE Royal Rumble
28. Tazz Was Screwed From Day One
Being honest, this then-12 year old fan thought Tazz was going to be WWF Champion by WrestleMania 2000 when watching that year's Rumble live on the UK's Channel 4. After all, the ECW hard nut had just strolled into Madison Square Garden, chucked an Olympian around like a bag of washing, then ended Kurt Angle's undefeated streak by choking him out as New York roared with approval.
What wasn't to like?! People backstage found something. Jim Ross has theorised via his podcast that a fair few feathers were ruffled by Tazz's presentation and physical size. Namely, his height. Jealousy kicked in amongst those striving for Vince McMahon's push, and the sniping crew suddenly started fretting about this extreme newbie "being dangerous" inside the ring. Unfortunately, Vince listened to that more than the booming MSG crowd.
This was all very unfair.
Tazz was demoted down the card following a ridiculously great Rumble debut, and he'd end up falling so far that he only lasted a mere 10 seconds in the 2001 match. None of this made any sense, but the jealous types looking for any chance to cut Tazz down got their wish. Talk about a missed opportunity - he could've been special had the company stuck to their guns and ignored the noise from resentful types behind the curtain.
That squash win over Angle was one of the greatest WWF/WWE debuts ever, but it was completely wasted due to backstage bitterness and political bite. Someone needed to remind McMahon that the Garden didn't lie, and that he should've listened to the savvy NY market instead of spiteful wrestlers.