AEW honored announcer and ECW legend Taz in a special ceremony following Dynamite on Wednesday night.
The tribute occurred at Philadelphia’s 2300 Arena, famously known as the home of Extreme Championship Wrestling.
The 2300 Arena is where Taz established his legacy as the “Human Suplex Machine” in the 1990s. During his time in ECW, he became one of the promotion’s most decorated stars, holding the ECW World Heavyweight, World Television, and World Tag Team Championships, in addition to creating the unsanctioned FTW Championship.
After Dynamite went off the air, AEW President Tony Khan led a contingent of the roster and officials to the ring, all wearing orange Taz tees. Taz’s wife and his son, Hook, also joined the celebration.
Khan addressed the Philadelphia crowd, calling Taz the greatest legend in the history of the building.
After a great night here for the first-ever AEW show in the 2300 Arena, I can’t think of a more fitting way to end AEW’s first night here than to pay homage to pay respect to the greatest legend, in my opinion, in the history of this building! Let’s give it up!
He added:
It’s been an honor following you almost my entire life. This is only the second time I’ve ever been in this building, it’s the first time I’ve set foot in this place in 29 years, since I was 13 years old and the only other time I came here I never dreamed I’d be able to set foot here, but I was here, I was 13 years old and I was wearing a Taz shirt. You’re a hero to me, you’re a hero to millions of people around the world.
An emotional Taz responded, revealing that his family had kept the ceremony a surprise from him. He thanked the fans, the AEW roster, and Khan.
Obviously didn’t expect any of this. And it’s so nice of my wife to kayfabe me on this. And then my son to kayfabe me on this. I did get worked. And it’s not the first time I’ve been worked in this building. That’s another story.
But no, listen, first, I need to thank all the fans here and the support for AEW, obviously. AEW has an extremely, pun intended, an extremely type of fighting spirit that we had in the ’90s here in ECW. It’s very similar. It’s just a lot bigger roster with a lot more money. And we love you, Tone.
He continued:
But I just seen all you guys out here, the roster, you know, I can’t thank you guys enough. And I’m speechless. And I, you know, talk for a living, you know? And I don’t know what to say here. It’s kind of embarrassing. I didn’t expect this. And I never… I appreciate it. I love you guys, too.
I’ve been blessed to have great memories in this building, like great, amazing memories, some bad ones, but mostly all good, you know? But mostly all great, actually, and I’ve been very blessed, and I’m blessed to be in this company.
I’m blessed to have the family I have. And I’m very blessed to be, like I said, in this company, what men and women on this roster, top to bottom, just bust their ass every fucking time, you know? So… Tony, thank you, you know, I didn’t expect this at all, obviously, I wanna thank all you guys for coming.
Khan announced that a segment including the raising of a Taz banner to the rafters, will air on this Saturday’s episode of AEW Collision.
AEW uploaded a video of the ceremony to YouTube on Thursday.
