Taz Reveals Vince McMahon’s Control Over WWE Commentary

Vince McMahon screaming orders into the commentary team’s ears during a live show is something that a lot of fans picture happening all of the time. Taz spent eight years on commentary, but he doesn’t have many horror stories of that kind.

While speaking to Wrestling Inc, Taz explained that Vince McMahon didn’t go all out at first with barking orders into his ear while on commentary. McMahon understood the importance of having good chemistry, but once Taz and Michael Cole got a feel for each other’s style then McMahon could get chatty.

“Once I was on SmackDown he would let me get my sea legs under me. He understood the importance of you and your partner getting chemistry.”

“A lot of times you either have it or you don’t have it – Michael Cole and I – but Vince and Kevin Dunn really wanted us to build that chemistry so early on Vince wasn’t in my headset that much.”

Advertising

Advertising

“Over a couple of years when he knew this was a legitimate, strong team, then he would get a little crazy sometimes. Some nights and segments he’s chattier than others. But it was never like, ‘Oh my God! This is driving me crazy!'”

Taz explained McMahon’s process and also how Kevin Dunn plays a part in the weekly television show. In the end, McMahon was harder on play-by-play guys because they’re usually former wrestlers. That’s not always the case in today’s WWE though.

“He was more helpful than hurtful but there were times when he was too wordy. I’m a firm believer in all announcers need to be produced…In WWE’s case it’s Kevin Dunn. He’s producing in and out of breaks, what graphics are coming up, counting the play-by-play guy into things.”

“There’s another guy that produces you on the creative end and not the logistics end, and that’s what Vince McMahon did for me. I learned more from Vince in my headset. But he would often get upset in a segment cause of the guys in the ring or the ref, and he’d then get on the announcers.”

“He was always a little harder on the play-by-play guys than the color commentators because back then the commentators were former champions or former wrestlers. Now the business is different where many commentators weren’t champions or never wrestled much. But back then he did have a little bit of a different respect for guys who laced up boots.”

Vince McMahon has a RAW announce team with one former wrestler in Jerry Lawler now, and he’s temporary. Things really have changed in the pro wrestling world, but that’s not always a bad thing.