Why Taz Was Written Off AEW TV On Dynamite

The AEW Dynamite Fifth Anniversary show was without a familiar face on October 2, with colour commentator Taz written off the show after an unseen ‘backstage attack’.

The commentary team of Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Nigel McGuinness - filling in for Taz - announced that an attack took place earlier in the day, and a later backstage interview with HOOK showed Taz’s son angered by the act - setting up a feud for the former FTW Champion.

Dave Meltzer notes in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Taz will be off AEW TV ‘for a while’ as the ECW legend is set to undergo full knee replacement surgery, and the angle was a way to cover his absence.

The report states that the way Taz walks around backstage showed he was in obvious discomfort, with his knees having been bad ‘for years’. Ultimately it was Taz’s wife who finally convinced him to take time off to get his knees sorted.

It has not yet been revealed who attacked Taz in kayfabe, but it seems as though Christian Cage could be involved, potentially leading to a Cage vs. HOOK feud somewhere down the line.