Update on Taz’s shoulder replacement surgery
An update on Taz’s total shoulder replacement surgery was given on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.
During the broadcast, lead commentator Excalibur stated that the man known as the “Human Suplex Machine” had indeed undergone “successful” shoulder surgery earlier on Wednesday.
On October 8, the former ECW and WWE star revealed on social media that he was going under the knife soon and would taking time off away from commentary. No timetable for his return was given.
Taz was told in May 2024 that he needed both knees and shoulders replaced, but he said he would be trying “regenerative procedures” rather than surgery. He eventually had one knee replaced in October 2024, keeping him off AEW TV and PPVs until late-December. The pressure on his new knee kept him away from long travel like August’s Forbidden Door and lead-in Dynamite in London, England.
He attributed the injuries to working out too hard in the gym and not from the damage he took in the ring.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.