ECW Legend And Former WWE Color Commentator Taz Talks About What Happens When A Wrestler's Push Stops

 On The Taz Show, the ECW legend went into detail regarding what happens when a wrestler's push stops, along with when his push halted and how his change in wardrobe played a factor in this.

"It's kind of a slow, gradual thing that happens behind the scenes, and there are little signs that you could tell," said Taz. "And that's the thing I think most people don't talk about that maybe have experienced this like yours truly because I have experienced this."

Taz initally received a push when he debuted at the 2000 Royal Rumble by ending the undefeated streak of Kurt Angle, but it started to fade quickly. He also received another push when he returned from tearing his bicep causing Rikishi his match in the cage against Val Venis, but it did not last long either. Taz also changed his look, going from the singlet to a cut off shirt and pants.

"During that comeback push, that's when I came back changing the stuff I was wearing. I was wearing like a cut-off short sleeve, like a Dickies shirt and like longer pants. That was me changing my look," said Taz. "I wanted kind of a makeover, because obviously my ECW feel and look, Vince McMahon I guess maybe didn't like it, because he wasn't pushing me, so I tried something different."

Taz states that most wrestlers backstage have no idea why they start to get depushed. Sometimes, it is not about wrestlers doing something wrong, but something that rubs Vince McMahon the wrong way or something he did not like. Instead of Vince getting angry, he just decides that the push is not working anymore and stops it.

During the peak time of his WWE career, Taz stated that his merchandise sales were second behind The Rock. Although The Rock received a monstrous push, Taz did not, despite backstage discussions that he was going to receive a major main-event run. Taz also reiterated the German suplex that was mistimed during his match with Kurt Angle, which he still feels was the pivotal moment in derailing his in-ring WWE push. Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco sat down with Taz after the Royal Rumble, and told him that he has to ease up on his style. According to Taz, this was only "day two on the payroll."

When a wrestler gets depushed, Taz revealed that producers and other backstage personnel start acts differently towards the “pushed” talent. Despite always being professional and nice, producers become less talkative and reduce small talk around the coffee pot. He also says that there were things that he heard as an announcer in a production meeting that he could not share with his colleagues regarding a change in direction in their push.

Coming back from his Royal Rumble match, Taz stated that it was like crickets in the Gorilla Position, and there were many people who were passive when he went backstage. This is when he knew that his push was en route to ending.