Pete "Taz" Senerchia knows all about being the underdog.
At 5-foot-8 and 250 pounds, Senerchia overcame size limitations to become an Extreme Championship Wrestling star in the 1990s. He parlayed that success with a smaller promotion into a decade-long World Wrestling Entertainment stint as a grappler and then announcer after retiring from the ring in 2002.
Senerchia is now pursuing a new challenge as a color commentator for TNA Wrestling, the Nashville, Tenn.-based company that is trying to make inroads into WWE's industry-wide dominance.
"I couldn't be happier," Senerchia said in a recent telephone interview. "TNA reminds me of the original ECW, but with a real TV contract, real money and a lot of big names.
"We're not at the level of WWE yet. We're still young. There will be some growing pains. But the work ethic and passion are there to give our audience the best product possible."
Working for TNA requires less travel while providing Senerchia a greater chance to expand his wrestling horizons beyond announcing.
"I do a little bit of everything," said Senerchia, who made his TNA debut in July as Samoa Joe's "adviser." "Backstage, I'm assigned to (watch) talent that they want me to help nurture. I've also given feedback on the TV shows from a different perspective, having not only wrestled for WWE but worked in the studio."
Senerchia admits that a "little part" of his decision to leave WWE stemmed from the demands company owner Vince McMahon places on his announcing crew. Senerchia called the action on "Smackdown" (8 p.m. EDT Fridays, MyNetwork TV) and then ECW (10 p.m. Tuesdays, Syfy Network) after WWE relaunched that brand in 2006.
While offering heavy praise for McMahon and other top WWE officials, Senerchia said he performs "much better in a looser, relaxed atmosphere." McMahon's heavy-handed approach also prompted Mick Foley to leave WWE for TNA last year.
"At times, it's a little obnoxious to have so many people in your ear," Senerchia said. "You have to listen to your (announcing) partner, the executive producer and the company owner while trying to follow the talent in the ring and tell a story. I only have two ears, not six.
"If you have thick skin and want to be a WWE announcer, you'll do good. If not, you'll flop quick. Vince doesn't mean anything personally. He's just very aggressive when it comes to the announcing because he's very well aware of how important it is. It's the last line of communication to the audience to sell the product."
Having built strong chemistry with WWE announcing partners Michael Cole and Joey Styles, Senerchia now hopes he can do the same with his new TNA sidekick. Mike Tenay has called TNA matches with Don West since the company's 2002 debut. Upon Taz's arrival, West was moved behind the scenes to oversee the company's merchandising.
"Mike has been a pro and totally cool to work with," Senerchia said. "Even where he's gotten at this point in his career, the guy is still looking to learn and evolve. You have to take your hat off to him for that.
"We've both been following each other's work closely the past several months assuming the (change) would happen. By the time we get to our 'No Surrender' show (on pay-per-view Sept. 20), I think we'll have just about hit our stride."
One thing you won't see Senerchia doing on "TNA Impact" (9 p.m. Thursdays, Spike TV) is wrestling. Although only 41, Senerchia was forced into retirement seven years ago because of chronic neck problems that still linger. Senerchia said he has "nerve damage in my arms and shoulders, numbness in my right arm on a weekly basis, and loads of arthritis in my spinal cord."
"I'm in pain all the time, but don't feel sorry for me," said Senerchia, who began wrestling in 1987. "That's part of the job, like with a football player who later has problems with his knees.
"A lot of times I get people who say I left (the ring) way too soon. I was just not going to be one of those guys who risk their future health. I want to be able to throw a baseball with my son with some velocity or without having to use a cane. Once in a while, my son will ask me, 'Dad, can you choke a guy out or use a suplex on him?' I tell him, 'I've got a bunch of DVDs you can watch that stuff on.' "
For more information, visit www.tnawrestling.com.
(Alex Marvez writes a syndicated pro-wrestling column for Scripps Howard News Service. Contact him at alex1marv(at)aol.com or follow him via Twitter at http://twitter.com/alexmarvez.)
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