Video: Taz Inducted Into 2300 Arena's Hardcore Hall of Fame at AEW’s Philadelphia Residency
AEW’s ongoing residency at the legendary 2300 Arena in Philadelphia has delivered plenty of in-ring action, but this week it also spotlighted one of the sport’s most respected voices: Taz.
The company released exclusive video of the former ECW World Champion being inducted into the Hardcore Hall of Fame, a permanent tribute inside the building that was once the heart of Extreme Championship Wrestling.
A Banner Raised in Philadelphia
AEW President Tony Khan welcomed Taz to the ring and signaled for the unveiling of his banner, which now hangs among other ECW icons. A visibly moved Taz kept his comments short, but heartfelt.
“I’m gonna keep this brief… I wanna say thank you to everybody here. I gotta say, for so many years… as a New York guy, Philadelphia opened up their arms to a New York guy, which I’ll never forget,” Taz said. He thanked Khan, AEW, and the 2300 Arena, adding, “I’m very humbled, and I appreciate it, Tony. Thank you very much.”
The honor was originally scheduled to air on AEW Collision and later shifted to Dynamite, but Taz himself requested that the ceremony take place off-air so as not to take valuable TV time away from the roster.
A Career Comes Full Circle
Taz’s career is closely tied to the 2300 Arena, where he carved his reputation in ECW during the 1990s as a world champion and cornerstone of the promotion’s rise. His trademark suplex-heavy offense and intense promos made him one of the defining figures of the hardcore movement.
After brief guest appearances in AEW’s first year, Taz officially joined the company in January 2020. He has since become a fixture on commentary and a guiding voice for fans. The timing of his induction couldn’t have been more fitting, as Taz’s son Hook also recently returned to AEW action in Philadelphia following an injury hiatus.
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Taz’s induction into the Hardcore Hall of Fame isn’t just a nod to nostalgia — it’s a recognition of how deeply his legacy runs through Philadelphia and the DNA of modern pro wrestling. For AEW, honoring Taz inside the 2300 Arena bridges generations: ECW’s legacy, Taz’s broadcasting presence today, and Hook’s rise as a future star. The decision to keep the ceremony off TV also says a lot about Taz — humble, selfless, and still putting the next generation first.
