Former ECW World champion and longtime SmackDown announcer Taz announced he will soon be undergoing surgery on his hand to repair nerve damage that has led to a loss of feeling and an inability to grip his right hand during an episode of The Taz Show on CBS Radio on Tuesday.
Taz claimed that nerve damage in his neck stemming from injuries during his pro wrestling career has trickled down to his hand and that surgeons will be going through his wrists in order to bring some of the nerves "back to life," comparing his procedure to carpal tunnel surgery but on a larger scale.
Taz, who was employed by WWE as both a wrestler and commentator from 2000-09, said he expects to miss several episodes of his radio show while recovering from surgery. However, he did not disclose when the surgery would take place.
Taz's wrestling career began in 1987 after learning under WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz. He gained notoriety as an enforcer in ECW, where he won the brand's world title twice. He joined WWE in 2000, where he made his debut at the Royal Rumble and defeated a then-undefeated Kurt Angle.
Taz went on to win the WWE Hardcore Championship three times and the Tag Team Championship once with Spike Dudley.
He began his career as a commentator in October 2000 working part-time on Sunday Night Heat and eventually joined the SmackDown! team in February 2001, while still working as an in-ring competitor.
Taz also worked as a commentator and on-screen adviser to Samoa Joe, as well as an ally of the Main Event Mafia and Aces and Eights factions during his time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now GFW) from 2009-15.
