Taz was honored at AEW Dynamite, but it was on his terms.
AEW is in the midst of a seven-event residency at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena. Last week, Tony Khan made a surprise announcement, revealing that Taz would be honored with a 2300 Arena Hall of Fame ceremony. The segment was scheduled to air on AEW Dynamite this week.
The venue has regularly hosted Hall of Fame ceremonies for ECW performers, treating it like a number retirement ceremony similar to the way NBA and NHL teams honor past legends. ECW names like Sandman (2007), Sabu (2009), Tommy Dreamer (2010) and Blue Meanie (2014) have all been inducted into the arena’s Hardcore Hall Of Fame, with Taz being a 2025 honoree.
However, Taz’s ceremony didn’t air on this week’s show, and it was a decision that came from Taz himself. When asked why he didn’t appear on the broadcast, Taz says he asked to do it before the broadcast, as he didn’t want to take any TV time from the current roster.
Taz explains why he asked AEW not to host his HOF ceremony on TV
“Nah…as per my request no need to have it on tv. We have lots of current in ring wrestlers that should get the tv time…this isn’t about me, it’s 2025…I been retired for years. I do not want or need anyones tv time. Not how I’m wired,” Taz wrote on Twitter/X.
F4WOnline.com’s Dave Meltzer commented on the post and said he disagreed with Taz. Meltzer noted that sometimes it’s OK to honor the past on television. However, Taz questioned the logic in disagreeing with how he chose to be honored. Taz said fans will still see it since everything gets posted online now.
“So you are disagreeing with they would call “my moment” and how I prefer to have it done? Haha…come on,” Taz replied. “People watching programming much different than years ago. People can still see it. It’s all online…I NEVER want to take tv time from anyone that’s still bumping or younger than me…that’s just how I feel for a long time…and that ain’t changing. No ego or insecurities for me!”
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