Taz (or Tazz) is a legend of the wrestling business. He found fame in ECW as “the Human Suplex Machine”, marketing himself as a killer in the ring and bringing in new MMA-style concepts that had never been seen before in pro-wrestling.
Taz retired in 2002 due to neck injuries, and only stepped into the ring once since then for an incredible short match with Jerry Lawler. However, he has remained steadfast in his assertion that it was a one off and would not step into the ring again.
Nevertheless, rumours have circled about one final match for the former ECW Champion, especially now that his son has joined him in AEW and has begun to make a name for himself. One final match to pass the torch to his offspring might be too much to resist for Taz, although he has spoken about potentially coming out of retirement for one more fight.
Speaking to WWE.com, the Human Suplex Machine re-iterated the decision to stay outside of the ring. Despite examples like JBL and Chris Jericho coming out of retirement in the past, Taz revealed he had no desire to return to the ring and is content with staying retired.
“I get asked that question a lot, and the answer is no. Not at all. I’m happy that JBL and Y2J came back; they have that burning desire, but I don’t. They’re doing what they want to do, as am I. The butterflies I used to get before I’d go to the ring are the same butterflies I get before I call a show now.
Even before Y2J and Bradshaw came back, I was asked that question. Many people thought I retired at a young age; I was in my mid- to late-30s when I left the ring. The truth is I didn’t — and still don’t — have a desire to wrestle anymore. I feel like I’ve accomplished a lot as a wrestler that I’m proud of. Unfortunately, my strong wrestling accomplishments came outside of WWE — like becoming a World Champion, which happened in the original ECW. But probably the greatest moment of my career was debuting for WWE at Madison Square Garden against an Olympic gold medallist. I’ll never forget that. I’ll cherish that for the rest of my life.
I don’t get the bug anymore, and I knew it was time to hang up my boots when I didn’t have the urge, that burn to compete. Plus, my neck is still in pain. I never had surgery; I didn’t want to, and still don’t want to risk it.“
Taz currently works in AEW as an announcer and previously managed Ricky Starks, Brian Cage, Will Hobbs and his son Hook in Team Taz.