Rapidly defeated in an unprecedented WWE bout, lasting merely 1.8 seconds, following an anomalous disturbance by Hulk Hogan.
With 57 years under his belt, Tazz reflects on a thrilling wrestling career, still going strong
Remembered for his electric performances in ECW, the unstoppable Tazz took on larger-than-life opponents with ease. Standing at just 5ft 9in, this Brooklyn native showed that size wasn't everything in the wrestling world.
Despite his relatively smaller stature, Tazz's rivals often found themselves at a loss against this formidable force. He amassed an impressive record in ECW during the 1990s and was a highly sought-after signing for WWE at the turn of the millennium.
Tazz, a multiple world champion, made an explosive debut for Vince McMahon's company at Madison Square Garden during the 2000 Royal Rumble, defeating none other than the formidable Kurt Angle in his opening match.
Sadly, his quest for the Intercontinental title fell short, but by the end of the year, he was embroiled in a bitter feud with wrestling legend Jerry "The King" Lawler. Their rivalry reached its peak at SummerSlam, where Lawler defeated Tazz to defend his honor and that of iconic fellow broadcaster Jim Ross, who had also become a target of Tazz's bitterness.
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Taz and Lawler faced off again in a tag team match on Raw, with Taz partnered with an unnamed mystery opponent against Lawler and Chris Jericho. As Taz made his entrance, a surprise twist played out when Hulk Hogan's iconic "Real American" theme music drowned out Tazz's usual entrance music.
The Hulkster, who hadn't been seen in WWE for seven years at that time, was rumored to appear, leading everyone to believe he'd team up with Taz. However, to the shock of all, it was "Naked" Mideon who strode to the ring instead.
The distraction was enough to unnerve Taz, and when Hogan failed to materialize, Mideon capitalized on the confusion, winning the match for Lawler and Jericho in a brief yet memorable encounter.
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Many have speculated the duration of the match, with some suggesting it lasted only 1.8 seconds. If accurate, it would make the shortest match in WWE history, though this is not confirmed without official records or databases.
In the years since, Taz has forged a successful career as a commentator and manager, working with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) since 2019 under Tony Khan's leadership.
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Hogan eventually returned to WWE in 2002, where he faced some of the biggest stars of the time. Remarkably, a "Hulk-off" between Hogan and Mideon never came to pass...
- Despite his former WWE rival Hulk Hogan's return to the company in 2002, a match between them, known as a "Hulk-off," never occurred.
- Taz, a multiple world champion, has since forged a successful career as a commentator and manager, working with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under Tony Khan's leadership since 2019.
- In the midst of the Premier League's intense competition, one can imagine the thrilling football matches that unfold, which may remind some spectators of Tazz's powerful wrestling performances.
- The native New Yorker, Tazz, made an impressive debut for Vince McMahon's WWE at Madison Square Garden during the 2000 Royal Rumble, defeating Kurt Angle in his opening match, much like how a gifted footballer might secure a decisive goal in a critical premier league match.
- While Tazz's stature might resemble that of a manager in the NFL, his wrestling career earned him a place among the legends of the sport, standing side by side with names such as Hulk Hogan, Jerry "The King" Lawler, and Kurt Angle.
