
Every wrestler enters the squared circle with dreams burning in their chest, but few are as refreshingly honest about their humble beginnings as AEW commentator Taz. The former ECW legend recently opened up about his blue-collar roots and the three straightforward goals that guided his entire career trajectory.
From Railroad Tracks to Wrestling Rings
Speaking on Rob Van Dam’s “1 Of A Kind” podcast, the Brooklyn native painted a picture of dedication that wrestling purists will appreciate. Before he became the Human Suplex Machine, Taz was grinding it out in the most literal sense possible.
His pre-wrestling life involved backbreaking labor as a railroad trackman, where physical demands would crush most people’s wrestling aspirations. Yet Taz used this grueling schedule as fuel for his wrestling fire.
“When I was young and breaking into the business, I had three goals. I wanted to make a living at the business, I didn’t care how much money because I had so many odd jobs, blue collar [jobs], digging holes,” Taz explained, describing how he would dig holes, hit the gym, then use precious vacation time to work independent wrestling shows.
The Blueprint for Wrestling Success
Taz’s three-goal framework offers a masterclass in realistic career planning. His objectives weren’t about becoming the next Hulk Hogan or headlining WrestleMania – they were about sustainable success and personal fulfillment.
Goal #1: Making Wrestling Pay the Bills
The first goal centered on financial survival rather than wealth accumulation. After years of juggling multiple jobs, Taz simply wanted wrestling to become his sole income source. This practical approach took seven years to achieve, proving that overnight success is rarely the norm in professional wrestling.
Goal #2: Championship Gold
His second ambition involved capturing championship gold, regardless of the promotion or prestige level. This humble perspective on titles reflects the mindset of someone who understood that every championship represents validation and achievement.
Goal #3: The Garden Dream
The third goal hit closest to home – literally. As a New York native, performing at Madison Square Garden represented the ultimate hometown validation for Taz.
Mission Accomplished: A Career Trilogy Complete
Wrestling history shows that Taz didn’t just achieve these goals – he exceeded them in spectacular fashion. His first taste of championship success came in 1991 with the IWCCW Light Heavyweight Championship, which he held for an impressive 204 days.
The Madison Square Garden dream materialized in the most dramatic way possible during his 2000 WWE debut. Not only did he finally perform in the “World’s Most Famous Arena,” but he did so at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, handing Kurt Angle his first singles defeat in a moment that shocked the wrestling world.
Lessons from the Taz Playbook
What makes Taz’s story compelling isn’t just the success – it’s the blueprint he followed. His goals were specific, measurable, and personally meaningful rather than driven by external expectations or industry standards.
The seven-year timeline to wrestling self-sufficiency also provides valuable perspective for today’s wrestlers who might expect faster results in our instant-gratification era. Taz’s journey proves that sustainable wrestling careers are built on patience, persistence, and practical goal-setting.
In an industry where wrestlers often chase unrealistic dreams or focus solely on main event status, Taz’s three-goal approach offers a refreshing alternative path to fulfillment. Sometimes the most powerful wrestling stories aren’t about conquering the world – they’re about a kid from Brooklyn who simply wanted to make his living doing what he loved. What goals would you set if you were starting your wrestling journey from scratch?
Please credit the original source when using quotes from this article, and give a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
