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Post by This Player Hating Mothman on Dec 18, 2021 19:44:59 GMT -5
Earlier thsi year when I started tuning in to Dark more for Taz and Excalibur shooting the shit, Taz really began to grow on me as a commentator I actively enjoy. It's been great seeing him get some more serious air time where he's not just cracking jokes and calling people (X) Jones, because he has a really distinct commentary voice at the table and a unique in-ring insight, as mentioned. Three-man booths always need the right mix, and I think Taz/Excalibur/Tony provides a really interesting blend of styles and inputs that make it a really strong table. I don't know if it's having been checked out during his TNA time or him maturing as a commentator and hitting a late game stride, but he is killing it.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2021 19:53:05 GMT -5
Taz has everything a great color commentator can ask for and really, he is the only guy I know of. His voice is clear, has a perfect heel pitch, sounds modern. He is witty and knowledgeable. He fills a generational gap. AEW should never cut him as it stands. Taz seems to be enjoying himself again after years of going through the dark days of Impact. That, and he managed to get his son a gig and Hook is over like rover after ONE match. That tends to make someone pretty excited about going to work.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2021 19:53:23 GMT -5
Cory Graves, take notes on how to be a heel commentator by listening to Taz's AEW stuff Taz has his own character Graves (who isn't as good but not as bad as his online reputation) suffers from being a dollar store Heenan/Ventura knock off. Heel Cole and even JBL could be guilty of this at times so its probably orders from you know who. Maybe Taz's resistance to that style was why he went in search of a newer environment.
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deezy
Don Corleone
Posts: 1,693
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Post by deezy on Dec 18, 2021 20:56:36 GMT -5
I've always enjoyed Taz's commentary with Cole and in TNA with Tenay. He is probably the #2 guy in the booth in wrestling today behind Pat McAfee, Imo.
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Post by THE FVNKER on Dec 18, 2021 22:32:31 GMT -5
There's no-one better at giving matches a big fight feel. He can also explain the technicalities of certain moves without sounding boring or dorky. To add on to this, I don't know of any (because I sent watch much anymore, tbh) other commentators in the readily-available wrestling sphere who are well versed enough in martial arts/MMA holds and techniques that can call them like he can. Might seem like a non-issue in general, but when he accurately calls those holds... it's like a vacuum sucking me in to suspension of disbelief. A very underrated talent, he has.
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Post by EP 54 is banned from Collision on Dec 18, 2021 22:35:12 GMT -5
Taz is great. His analysis is top notch, he'll point out minor technical points, he'll explain why someone did something, for example he'll always point out things like a wrestler shooting a half-nelson to flip their oppenent from their front to their back, because that's the quickest way. He'll explain how things other than the impact from a move affects the opponemt, he'll tell you why a powerslam sucks to take more than a bodyslam, how disorientating a move is, or exactly how getting chopped sucks. Despite being a heel, he puts over everyone in the match. He gives respect where it is due. And he's not afraid to make fun of himself. He's always been great in the booth, except in TNA where it is perfectly understandable why he half-assed it at times, because of the low quality of the programming and the fact that they weren't paying himm on time.
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67 more
King Koopa
He's just a Sexy Kurt
Posts: 11,511
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Post by 67 more on Dec 19, 2021 3:02:59 GMT -5
Taz really excels at being what I call a "technical analyst". Excalibur knows more move names and storyline things, JR and Tony are good at selling the narrative and the stakes, but Taz is honestly unparalleled at explaining WHY something is done the way it is in ring. The only person who comes remotely close is Nigel
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Post by "Sweet & Sour" ImSoFudginGreat on Dec 19, 2021 8:07:16 GMT -5
Like others have said, Taz has been brilliant in his AEW tenure so far. I watch a fair bit of sport and a good colour analyst adds so much to a presentation. Taz works excellently as that veteran who has done it all, and he explains everything well for the people who haven’t done it themselves. He’s similar to Daniel Cormier from UFC to me. Very technical but still gets excited and into the action.
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Post by Tiger Millionaire on Dec 19, 2021 8:38:01 GMT -5
With the obvious caveat that NOBODY is Bobby Heenan, Corey Graves should take notes that like Bobby Heenan, Taz can be the heel commentator, be humorousness, and yet put people over.
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Post by Citizen Snips Has Left on Dec 19, 2021 9:16:35 GMT -5
I was very pleased to see a clip of Taz singing along to “Ruby Soho” a few weeks ago. Reminded me of when he’d sing along to “Somebody Call My Momma”.
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Post by HMARK Center on Dec 19, 2021 15:20:06 GMT -5
Taz really excels at being what I call a "technical analyst". Excalibur knows more move names and storyline things, JR and Tony are good at selling the narrative and the stakes, but Taz is honestly unparalleled at explaining WHY something is done the way it is in ring. The only person who comes remotely close is Nigel I'll also give credit to Caprice Coleman during the last year-plus of ROH; he was a babyface commentator, but did a good job focusing on the minutiae of why certain moves or strategies worked or didn't work in some situations, etc. ...Well, that, and the "OH, MY GO-OOOD!" on a big strike, that rules. Taz does this but also brings his martial arts knowledge to the fore and also has his own delightfully warped sense of humor that makes it even more enjoyable. And even then, when they guy wants to go back to being angry Brooklyn shooter and talk the fear of God into someone he can do that damn well, too.
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Post by Cyno on Dec 19, 2021 15:25:26 GMT -5
I’m taking this as a win. He still doesn't represent NY You just wait until someone, for some reason, eats a hot dog on AEW programming and Taz comments that they're eating a glizzy.
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Post by "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik on Dec 19, 2021 15:25:32 GMT -5
With the obvious caveat that NOBODY is Bobby Heenan, Corey Graves should take notes that like Bobby Heenan, Taz can be the heel commentator, be humorousness, and yet put people over. And don't be so horny.
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Post by eJm on Dec 19, 2021 15:25:48 GMT -5
To say about his time in TNA, he has said previously that they were slow to pay him consistently (I know, TNA being late to pay people? I’m shocked!) so it’d explain why he half assed a lot there.
But yeah, I’ve said a lot that I love Taz on commentary. His contributions always feel important for him as a commentator but also as the leader of Team Taz for scouting. And when he’s shooting the shit, it can genuinely be some of the funniest bits of commentary. The story about how he “met” Rick Knox is the most Taz thing to ever Taz.
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Fade
Patti Mayonnaise
Posts: 38,294
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Post by Fade on Dec 19, 2021 15:43:12 GMT -5
I first really appreciated Taz as a commentator at whatever Rumble it was where he and JR paired up together for the first time. Instantly took notice he was actually good at it. Think he’s been worth every penny in AEW as a character, commentator and manager. Also, he’s just funny lol.
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Post by Captain Stud Muffin (BLM) on Dec 19, 2021 15:44:14 GMT -5
He still doesn't represent NY You just wait until someone, for some reason, eats a hot dog on AEW programming and Taz comments that they're eating a glizzy. Okay he’d get my vote for Governor if he said that. Bing Bong is too viral to count as New York speak now
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Post by thegatewaydrug on Dec 19, 2021 15:45:40 GMT -5
Orange you glad he's in AEW? Absolute Jones!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2021 19:19:41 GMT -5
With the obvious caveat that NOBODY is Bobby Heenan, Corey Graves should take notes that like Bobby Heenan, Taz can be the heel commentator, be humorousness, and yet put people over. Well, it helps that Taz the commentator is just the next phase of Taz the wrestler. He's older, can't wrestle in the ring due to injuries and the like, but the dude still talks the talk of someone who "in his day" used to ragdoll people. Basically... he doesn't try to emulate Bobby Heenan, because there was only one Bobby Heenan. There's only one Taz. There's only one JR, one Tony Schiavone, one Michael Cole, etc. He does his own thing, and it makes his commentating seem genuine. So basically, he's the opposite of Corey Graves.
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Post by HMARK Center on Dec 19, 2021 19:28:56 GMT -5
He still doesn't represent NY You just wait until someone, for some reason, eats a hot dog on AEW programming and Taz comments that they're eating a glizzy. God help them if they put anything but hot mustard, sauerkraut, or maybe hot onions on it, he wouldn't hesitate to Send Hook (tm) to handle them.
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Kalmia
King Koopa
Happy to be here
Posts: 11,716
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Post by Kalmia on Dec 19, 2021 19:33:59 GMT -5
I love Taz. He somehow manages to be a heel, put people over, be amusing, and call the action seriously all at the same time. Most color commentators struggle to do one of those things well. I really enjoy the three-man booth of Taz, Excaliber, and Schiavone. They all have their roles and work well together.
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