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AEW fans are buzzing over the future of the company's commentary teams today after it was announced that Taz will be going on hiatus. The retired wrestler made an unfortunate announcement earlier but quickly received at least one offer to cover his spot from one former champion.
The Human Suplex Machine was taken out by a mystery attacker this week. AEW ran a parking lot injury angle that saw an unknown assailant lay Taz out, leading to Nigel McGuinness replacing him at the commentary desk for the Dynamite Fifth Anniversary show. The 56-year-old confirmed reports earlier today, that the attack was done to write him off TV as he needed surgery. He announced that a total knee replacement will have him out of action for a while.
All Elite Wrestling has not confirmed who will fill in for Taz moving forward, or if they might have alternate replacements. One AEW star who publicly offered to assume the role is Nyla Rose. The 42-year-old included a bit of comedy in sending well wishes to the former WWE Hardcore Champion.
"I gotchu Taz! I'll cover your shift. Can I borrow Orange? Speedy recovery!," Nyla Rose wrote.
The One Man Crime Spree debuted for AEW as a guest Dark commentator in October 2019, but three months later signed a multi-year deal as a manager and commentator.
Hook's father has previously done Rampage and pay-per-view commentary, but most recently Taz was on Dynamite as a color commentator, calling the weekly show with Excalibur and Tony Schiavone, among others.
Big matches revealed for AEW Collision
All Elite Wrestling will air the 65th edition of Collision on Saturday. The episode was taped on Thursday at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio as currently, the company has no special taping scheduled for Collision next week with Dynamite and Rampage taping on Tuesday, then WrestleDream airing on Saturday.
Several matches have been confirmed for Collision, along with a segment, for the final episode until October 19. Below is the updated lineup:
- Christian Cage will address his guaranteed World Championship opportunity
- Kris Statlander vs. Zoey Lynn
- Wheeler Yuta vs. Beef
- Trish Adora vs. Willow Nightingale
- Premier Athletes vs. The Conglomeration
- Darby Allin vs. Johnny TV
- The Grizzled Young Veterans vs. The Outrunners
- Hologram vs. Komander vs. Nick Wayne vs. Action Andretti
- Top Flight vs. The House of Black vs. Private Party (winners face World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks at WrestleDream)
The next Collision taping on the schedule is set for Thursday, October 17 at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, California. AEW will also tape Battle of The Belts XII that night, with both episodes likely airing that Saturday.
