Matt Striker posted on his Twitter (@Matt_Striker_) today that WWE would not be renewing his contract with the company. Striker then posted his email address for potential bookings.

Striker had worked in the WWE since 2005, coming in with a bit of controversy. An actual high school teacher, Striker was fired after claiming sick days and using them to wrestle in Japan. The story made national news headlines in a lot of markets. Those headlines got him from a few squash matches to taking part in Kurt Angle’s medal invitational matches where Striker had to beat him in under three minutes. Despite Angle beating him consecutive times, it earned Striker a contract with the company. Striker played up his teacher gimmick on Raw before moving to ECW and being the voice of the New Breed. His microphone skills soon led him out of the ring and into the commentary booth. Striker’s work on ECW and Smackdown became well known for some of his nicknames and references:

“Well he is the guilded one, the outcast, the lone star, Goldust will join forces with the working class hero Tommy Dreamer as they take on the clear and present danger of Vladimir Kozlov and Ezekiel Jackson.”

“Well he is effervescent, animated and scintillating, the poison fist of the Pacific Rim, the Storm Shadow, Yoshi Tatsu!”

“And now the Neon Genesis Burning Hammer Yoshi Tatsu begins to build momentum!”

Yet it was a remark during a PPV that seemed to take him off television when he stated he was, “Marking out”, which is a wrestling insider term. After that, Striker didn’t find himself in anywhere near as many commentary opportunities and was moved to becoming the “host” of NXT. After his role on NXT completed, Striker showed up on WWE.com and became one of the agents who would look at new talent on the road for the WWE, critiquing their promo ability.

I only gave four examples of Striker’s cheese, I could have easily gave more (he loved giving Tatsu nicknames, my favourite being Piston Honda) but Striker showed a lot of passion and care for the product in the commentary booth. He spent more time discussing the matches than he did getting in verbal spats that had little to do with the product. Striker was what you honestly wanted in a colour commentator. He provided colour on the matches. If you can’t be as funny as Bobby “The Brain” Heenan or insightful as Jesse “The Body” Ventura, reminding the viewers of the ongoing storyline, explaining the story being told in the ring and reacting to the impact of the manuevers is exactly what’s needed. The one thing I loved most that Striker did during his time on commentary was whenever Jerry “The King” Lawler was also in the booth with Striker, Striker would prod and push Lawler to give some veteran pro wrestling insight on the match. Lawler has spent his entire career either doing a bad Jesse Ventura impersonation or being an oversexualized pervert on commentary. He rarely ever takes the time to express his knowledge in the ring as a multi-decade veteran and former champion. Striker would set up opportunities for Lawler to explain a wrestler’s motivations or psychologies in the ring and Lawler would fall flat on his face. It’s no wonder Lawler took every opportunity to insult Striker in the booth. He didn’t like looking dumb, but he shouldn’t be looking dumb when being asked to do his job.

For every corny reference Striker made, he was trying to sell the wrestlers to the viewer. He especially was trying to sell wrestlers in ECW that the writers and the company weren’t pushing properly. Nobody was trying to get guys like Yoshi Tatsu and Zack Ryder over back then, but Striker put the time in commentary and people remember. On WWE DVDs, Striker was always around to explain pro wrestling history and show his knowledge of the product. There’s a lot more value in Striker explaining what he knows about the territories than trotting out some old geezer looking for a paycheque who doesn’t remember the matches he took part in anymore. It may add legitimacy, but it doesn’t provide value. Striker added value.

Striker is likely to be returning to the independent scene as a professional wrestler or manager but I hope he finds another shot as a colour commentator. Ring of Honor has failed a few times to fill in the role beside Kevin Kelly while TNA Wrestling just let go of Todd Keneley. Striker could fit fine in either company and finally be free to do what he does best. Promote pro wrestling while it’s happening.

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