Taz Takes Time Off AEW Commentary for Surgery
- AEW commentator and former ECW champion Taz announced on October 8, 2025, that he will undergo total shoulder replacement surgery, requiring a leave of absence from his role...
- What: AEW commentator Taz will undergo total shoulder replacement surgery.
- When: Surgery scheduled for a date in the near future (as of October 8, 2025).
Taz to Undergo Shoulder Replacement Surgery, Taking Leave from AEW Dynamite
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AEW commentator and former ECW champion Taz announced on October 8, 2025, that he will undergo total shoulder replacement surgery, requiring a leave of absence from his role on teh AEW Dynamite broadcast team.The timing of the surgery and his expected recovery period remain undisclosed.
A Legacy Forged in ECW and beyond
Before becoming a prominent color commentator, Taz (real name Matt Sarnoff) established himself as a top star in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).He held multiple championships during his time ther,including:
- Two-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion
- two-time ECW World Television Champion
- Three-time ECW World Tag Team Champion
He is also credited with creating the FTW Championship in ECW,a title that has seen a recent revival within All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
From the Human Suplex Machine to Commentary
Taz transitioned to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2000, making a memorable debut at the Royal Rumble by choking out Kurt Angle. Even though injuries limited his in-ring career in WWE, he successfully reinvented himself as a color commentator, becoming a popular voice on the SmackDown brand. Following his time in WWE, Taz continued his commentary career in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) before joining AEW in 2019.
Initially, Taz served as a manager in AEW, but he soon transitioned back to the commentary booth full-time, where he has become a valued member of the broadcast team.
Who will Replace Taz on Dynamite?
With Taz sidelined for recovery, AEW will need to fill his role on the Dynamite broadcast. Potential replacements from the AEW roster include Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness, who could join Tony Schiavone and Excalibur on Wednesday nights.
The specific commentator(s) chosen to fill Taz’s chair have not yet been announced.
Get well soon
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) October 8, 2025