Don't own people and the companies/federations.
He was a fellow announcer doing colour commentary beside me, and he was a friend. I don't understand. I thought he was a great announcer, as well as wrestler. The WWF was making him a big star both in and out of the ring and he had a bright future in it.
At first he made cracks about me and we didn't get along too well. But, as time passed and we announced together more, we got to know each other better. We became good friends.
He defended me. He stood up for me. He got himself beat up just to get an apology out of Stone Cold for beating me up. He demanded an apology and put himself in harm's way against an inconsiderate and sick man. Just for me.
And now he has left his announcer's post and left the WWF entirely. He defected to the ECW under the sadistic Paul Heyman, who along with WCW, want to take out the WWF. I haven't heard a word from him since Monday and he won't return my calls. I've left him many messages wondering why he left. I feel like I've lost a friend.
I dial Tazz's phone number at his home in Brooklyn. It rings a few times and finally there's a click.
"Hello?" a gruff voice on the other line asks.
"Tazz, it's me, Michael Cole. I haven't heard from you at all since last week. Why did you leave the WWF? Why did you defect to ECW?"
There was a pause. "Listen Cole… I had to."
And the line went dead. Michael sighed and put the phone back on the receiver. He sat back in his chair and thought. "I think I have lost a friend."