By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Former TNA announcer Taz pointed to two main reasons why he left TNA in a podcast discussing his departure.

(1) TNA was behind on payment. (2) Taz was looking to leave TNA when his contract expired this summer. The combination of late payment and Taz already leaning toward leaving TNA led to both sides deciding to part ways before his contract came due.

"My check for works done previously was late. And I had to do what I had to do and the company understood my position," Taz said on "Human Podcast Machine" podcast. "Business is business. I'm in this business - this is how I make a living and pay my bills... The company was apologetic. They had their reasons (for late payment) - I'm not going to get into their reasons."

Later, Taz noted there was a "cashflow issue," then cited what we've reported over the past two years that TNA's payment system has a tendency to get bogged down between TNA's office in Nashville and parent company Panda Energy's office in Dallas.

"My funds were not arriving to the house and were very late. I felt like I did a service and I was not paid yet for that service," said Taz, adding that payment eventually did arrive. "And I said that I just can't come (to Nashville to record commentary for Impact). They knew ahead of time that I was not going to come."

Taz said TNA also knew ahead of time that he was leaning toward not re-signing with TNA when his contract expired.

"My deal was going to end in the summer and I wasn't sure I wanted to stick around," Taz said, adding that he talked to TNA management a few weeks before the pay issue and "they were awesome" about his decision-making process.

"I was honestly looking to do other things and move on after accomplishing a lot in TNA. TNA wanted me to stay. I just wanted to explore other options out there," Taz said.

Taz added that he's not bashing TNA, as he was "very happy with the money" paid by TNA. "Financially, I was very happy there," Taz said, adding that his amount of pay or wanting a raise had "nothing to do with leaving TNA."

Taz also addressed rumors surrounding his departure, specifically whether working with Josh Mathews was an issue.

"Me leaving TNA had absolutely nothing to do with my relationship with Josh Mathews," Taz said. Taz talked up Mathews professionally, but suggested there was a personal issue. Taz stressed that it did not influence his professional standing with Mathews or TNA, though.

"Did we have a fall-out? Yes, we had a fall-out. Did it have anything to do with me leaving TNA? No. Why can't two guys have an argument or disagree or end a friendship and then people are going to speculate that's why (I) left? No," Taz said.

Taz added, "I could work with anyone. When I was working with Josh, I had zero problem."

Taz also addressed whether he was trying to force out Mathews so he could work with Mike Tenay again. Taz said he had a great relationship with Tenay, but he did not let that affect his professional relationship with Mathews.

"I do miss working with Mike, but I never, ever went to anyone and said I don't want to work with Josh," Taz said.

Taz said his relationship with TNA concluded with signing paperwork and mutually going their separate ways like professionals. As for what's next, Taz said, "I don't know." He said he's concentrating on doing strong shows for CBS Radio and working on a "Taz Live" daily show.

Taz closed the podcast by shouting out to various people and departments in TNA, including the production team, talent roster, Carter Family, Creative team, and individual heads of creative.

[ LINK: Listen to Taz's 30-minute podcast dedicated to his TNA departure HERE at Play.It ]

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