Exactly How Good Was Taz?

But how does a run robbed of some prime in-ring years stack up against some of the greats?

Taz' career is one of the trickier to scrutinise, but a deeper dive reveals a tenure that belongs in every wrestling hall of fame.

In ECW, he was so immensely believable that he drove the desire, need and eventual execution of a major stage pro wrestling pay-per-view. He was ahead of his time in spotting the value of blending the aesthetics and athletics of mixed martial arts into his act. He was malleable at every age, twice realising the value of diversifying into the announce booth for a just-in-case plan that eventually manifested as a second life. And in spite of all of this, the gimmick hasn't ever lost its sheen - Taz of 2024 looks more likely to f*cking kill you than the 'Human Suplex Machine' WWE booked so half-heartedly two decades earlier.

Like all the greats, he was at his best when he assumed a level of control over how he was presented. It's no coincidence that he found success everywhere but the one place where that's simply impossible. Equally, it's little shock that the freedom of expression in AEW has suited him just fine.

It absolutely should be highlighted that this piece has covered a near-30 year run too. In an industry as fickle as pro wrestling, that number trumps any figures focussed on title reigns and win/loss records. For a guy that so often didn't want to let people survive, he's mastered art of managing it himself.

'The Human Suplex Machine' rules, and if you disagree, you can tell him yourself.