Tyrus (George Murdoch) (1:25)

Feels great.

Interviewer (1:25)

I can hear so much better.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (1:26)

Yeah. There you go. Awesome.

Interviewer (1:28)

All right. So I think the way that I kind of wanted to conduct this was moving from, you know, ultimately starting as, like, a fan and a spectator of professional wrestling.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (1:36)

Okay.

Interviewer (1:36)

And then kind of how you broke into professional wrestling.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (1:40)

Oh, cool. All right. We're talking wrestling. Cool. Nice.

Interviewer (1:42)

How did ultimately an injury ended your football career.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (1:48)

Yeah. Except I didn't pay attention to it. I kept thinking I could work through it. So coming out of college, I had. I think I was playing a game in Kansas, and I tore my lateral meniscus and was supposed to be out. I think it was three weeks or something like that. And I was only out a week. I got the surgery, and I was like, I need to get back. I Only missed one game. The long term effects, though, was I didn't give it enough time to heal. So I started to grind. And then if you look at my knee, you'll see like there's this per. There's this knot here, just forever. And it. At the time I was young, it was just a lot of discomfort, but it didn't really affect my play. It wasn't until I got out of college and I was kind of. I was getting some calls from Arena Football League teams and I wasn't really one to do that. And then I did some. I did some kind of stupid. So I had apparently some interest from the jets and the Broncos. And there was a scout from the Broncos that called me and I missed the call. And then I called back and when he answered, I hung up for whatever reason, my anxiety or fear. And I tried to call back and they didn't pick up. So they answered the first time I called and I hung up and I called again and called back. And the same thing happened with the San Diego Chargers. And then I called them and I actually the. The position coach took the call and he said, we called you three weeks ago and our roster's full now. Good. Sorry. So a lot of bonehead. I didn't have an agent. I was coming out of a small school. And again, Nebraska. Carney's mission was not to get me in the NFL, it was to get me graduated. So very frustrated. And then ended up playing some semi pro ball for a guy who was paying and he might have made his money in a different way, let's just say that. And my life started to go the wrong way real fast. And then I ended up in a situation where I was taking penitentiary chances, trying to stay eligible, driving. Basically. I was given an opportunity to make about five or six grand transporting something to something, someplace, to someplace. And I was running out of, you know, I was still. I still was having people in my head, in my ear, telling me that I was. It was only a matter of time before I go pro. You're like, they're just going to find you. You're really good player, you're a great athlete. You know, just stick with us. And of course you want to hear all that shit when reality is you've been out of playing real organized football and training for six months and you just, you know, you just can't. And I didn't want to see that. And then.

Interviewer (4:39)

And you were bodyguarding at the time.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (4:41)

No, I wasn't. I was bouncing at clubs at night. Okay. Training Football living and basically a buddy's couch in Cal. I ended up in California. I ended up going to California trying to get didn't graduate left because I was trying to get to the league and went to this place where they said they'd pay me to train, play a few games for them. They'd take care of my room and board and I, you know, get me ready for the draft or whatever and all that was bullshit and they just need to get me out there on the team. And then I ended up taking a phone call from the Nebraska again. There was an arena football team called the Tri City Diesel and they called me and I needed to get the out of there so I took it and I went and played there and I ended up making their all star team or whatever. But that opened up doors again for me for football. So I wasn't even still thinking wrestling other than just being a die hard fan. But anyways I took the. An agent took some interest in me. After that season I moved to Louisville, Texas with my good buddy Martin Simmons who played center for Colorado and he was the center for the Tri City Diesel. And we started training and staying at his parents house and his parents were wonderful hard edge conservative Catholics. They did not around, you know, his mother would say things like if we were out at the club and like with your filthy lifestyles you're supposed to be doing like you don't. You are not in a place to where you can go out. You live on our roof, grown ass men, you know. And like we're like she's right. So we had a curfew. I mean I think I was, you know. But we were training and doing what we needed to do and I started to get some looks. I got in a situation with the Toronto Argonauts and the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys and like all these cool things. Got to be some big workouts and then got to go. Was working out for the Cowboys and I remember walking on the field and I was standing in the the end zone and I was standing on the blue star and I was like went down to touch just to smell, you know, like to smell it. And I remember the groundskeeper was like hey, get off it. We just painted that and I was like oh like you know, I did my workout and it was cool, everything was great. And I was getting all kind of phone calls and then my appendix ruptured and I almost died because I was at a club. And I remember me and my buddy Michael Irving and Larry Allen used to go to this place called Times Square in Dallas. And like that's where all the players went to hang out. And it was like four bars in one. It was like awesome. And I went out there and I remember my side was just killing me. And I had a rough workout that day. I was doing some fast twitch stuff. If you've ever trained fast twitch, you end up seeing in green when it's over. Like, it's crazy, right? And I was doing some one on one drills and there was a guy that was. He. He was trying to make the team, I was trying to make the team. And he threw a body blow during the pass rush. So I smacked him upside the head, you know, and it got physical, but they were like, hey, you don't take shit, you know? And that guy was like a NFL vet or whatever trying to do. Trying to take my. He was trying to make a defensive team. I was trying to make the. So I thought maybe he had gave me a shot in the ribs. And I was like, oh man, he might have cracked a rib or something. Because I was like, man, I'm having a hard time breathing. I don't feel good. And I just remember this woman came up to me and was talking to me. And I just remember everything she was saying was pissing me off because it was hurting, you know, and she was probably just exchanging pleasantries, music was loud. And I just remember going, please stop talking. Like, just leave. Just leave me alone. And she walked with my buddies like, your buddy's an asshole. And he came over, hey, what's the matter? You look terrible. And I was like, yeah, I don't feel good, man. I think I hurt my rib at practice today. And he was like at the workout and they were driving home and I went to get. Go to his. Into his parents house and I just collapsed. And then I ended up in an emergency room and they didn't know what was wrong with me. And I remember it was an old. An old sister, like she was a janitor, came walking to me. She said, hey, baby, can you stand on one foot? And I couldn't. And she's like, it's his appendix. And they were like, how do you know? You know, the nurses were like, get him in the back. And it ruptured and it spread down. It actually went down. Luckily for me, if it would have went up, I would have been dead from the poison. It went down into my leg. So I had to get emergency appendectomy, I think it's called. But in doing that, they cut all my nerve Endings into my leg. So my entire. Even to this day, I don't have any feeling. Like if the doc would take a pen and he was like poking at the top of my quad and I couldn't feel anything. So walking became weird. Like I had, like, I have this permanent kind of a. I call it gangster lean kind of a limp and it didn't help with the knot from the meniscus. So I could still play arena football pretty. I didn't have to do much. I just had a such. I was so strong. I just punched a guy and knock him out, but my heart really wasn't in it. And I knew, I knew inside that like, there was no way at playing tackle or guard in the past situation, the NFL, that my drop step was going to be good enough anymore, you know, like. And it just, it sucked. I could be a, a arena football all star, but it just. I didn't smell the grass. It didn't. It was only three of us in the line. It wasn't much money. Everything hurt. Kept hitting the ground. It was getting tougher for me. Like before I could just punch a guy and it fall on the ground and then guys start realizing not to make contact with me and just kind of run around the bike and it was, it was starting to be a problem. And I just was trying to not accept the inevitability because I didn't have a backup plan. I didn't have. And it was. We were. I ended up, season was over. I went to play for another team and they were playing in LA Staples center. And for whatever reason, the, the moons and everything was aligned and I had one of the biggest, best games I ever played in arena football. And I. He had to go both ways in this league. And I got two sacks, a strip for a touchdown, a safety. Whoa. I mean, I had a game. The team was chanting mvp. Like, I had a game. And I remember after the game everyone was high fiving and they kind of went in the locker room and I just sat out there in the bench and I started crying. I was just. I knew it was over. Like, I was like, I'm never gonna have a better game than this. My body hurts. I can't even get up. My hip, I can't feel my leg anymore. And I was just like, it's. It's over. You know, And I, I didn't. That was the last time I played football. You know, I just, I had. They, they were like, oh, we're going to sign you. And I was like, I'm good. And that was a tough. That was hard because that was everything. I just knew all roads were going to end up, you know, and when you surround yourself with people who are lesser in terms of athletic skill, they think you're. But being the. The best guy on a marginal arena football team is you're not even, you know, in the top anywhere in the NFL, you know, So I just. That reality was hard for me to accept and I went back to. With my tail between my legs, to Carney, Nebraska, which actually was a good thing for me because I was humbled out because now I'm just a. Has been in a teacher school, you know, working out in the gym when no one else was there because, you know, people like, what happened, man, If I, if I was you, I'd be in the NFL, you know, and it's just. It's one of those things where you just. You start lying about stuff, you know, or, you know, when you see the young players, they don't really come up to you anymore and ask you shit because you're no longer the guy going to the league. You're the guy who didn't make it. And it's a very different. It's almost like you have a disease and they don't want it, you know. And that was. That was hard for me, especially being a guy who was always. The locker room was my safe place. Like, that's where I was funny and myself. I could crack jokes and all my friends and all of a sudden all that was gone.

Interviewer (12:12)

Well, that seems like a good. A good segue into ultimately you ended up doing something that was physically demanding.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (12:18)

Yeah, I had to have something, you know, I had to. I just wasn't ready to be a civilian.

Interviewer (12:22)

Right.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (12:23)

And I didn't know how to be one, you know, My hardest thing was trying to figure out what to do between 12 and 4 o' clock every day. I was just lost. And then wrestling just kind of. Now I have been watching wrestling since I was. Probably the first TV show I ever watched was with. I didn't have much time with my father's parents, but he watched wrestling every Saturday morning. And it was the Wild Samoans were. Were beating up, I think it was. It was like Andre the Giant, some guy named McMichael or some. I don't remember, but I just remember watching. I was like, oh, man, that's awesome. You know. And then when I moved to.

Interviewer (13:00)

What year would that have been?

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (13:02)

What I would. Must have been three or four. So I was born in 73, so probably 77 or something like that. Okay. And then when I moved to California when I was nine and we got cable and there was Tuesday night, Titans came on, and there was a match with Sergeant Slaughter and the Iron Sheik for the soul of America. And it was a. Anything go strap match, boot strap match. And the Iron Sheik, rest his soul, busted Sergeant Slaughter open with the. He did this thing where he kicked the bottom of his foot, which loaded the boot, obviously. And I remember sitting on my shag green carpet with my brother sitting crisscross applesauce screaming at the TV like, come on, Sergeant. And he bloodied up and then he got the. And then he gave the Sheik a beaten. And he beat him. And I just jumping up and down and screaming and like, this is the great. Like, I was just. And then me immediately went to the front yard. Yeah, immediately. And started our own league. We had our. My first championship was made out of tinfoil Crayola crayon. And we had cut. My mom had got a new refrigerator, and we had cut the box to make a belt. And then in the front yard, we would have matches. And it was some pretty intense stuff, some selling. And then I saw Mr. Wonderful, Paul Orndorff against B. Brian Blair again the following week on Tuesday night Titans. And Mr. Wonderful wouldn't get in the ring. And I thought it was the coolest shit ever. Like, he had his robe on, and every time he'd tell the guy to get back the crowd, like, get your ass in the ring. And I was just watching it, like, almost like music was playing in the back. I'm like, oh. Like, this is. Oh, my God, I want to do that. Like, this dude's awesome. So next thing I know, like, my mother would be like, hey, get in the shower. That didn't go over very well. That ended very quickly. But I was the master of refusing to get in the yard to wrestle. My brother and his friends always had to have handicap matches because of the size difference.

Interviewer (15:03)

So that's where all that started.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (15:04)

All that's trying to.

Interviewer (15:05)

Your ability to jab in the locker room. Like, that's kind of where that all started.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (15:08)

It was like all pieces. I didn't think it was. And you made a. Chael made when he was on the podcast, made a great point. There was no one that call, you know. So I probably was wrestling in every neighborhood we moved into for up until probably like 14 or 15. Like, it was just the thing. And we had more kids tag matches. And I remember the. The biggest screw job ever. I Was tagging with this kid named. I always had to tag with a little guy. My brother always would put this team together. He was the Four Horsemen. He was the Ric Flair, Honky Tonk Man, Macho Man. He was always those top guys. And I. I always had to be the baby face. And by that time, all things Dusty rose. I was hitting the jab and the elbow, and then used the Orndorff pile driver as a finish. Which, in retrospect, they hadn't made those videos. Don't try this at home yet. Yeah, but I. Once. Me and my brother had a. A living room death match while my mom was working, and I gave him a pile driver. But I was trying to give it. I. He was. I was beating him up and I put the couch cushion to give him the. Because we had hardwood floors. But I fell back and we went through the coffee table.

Interviewer (16:16)

Oh, my gosh.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (16:17)

Coffee table shattered.

Interviewer (16:18)

Mom was not happy.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (16:19)

No. No. We sat there trying to think as only two young kids who know their life is over because the coffee table was a big deal, right? And we decided to come up with. To, like, somebody broke in the house and attacked us. And we were gonna. We were gonna lay, like, all. Like, we were knocked out. And, like, my mom came home and I. And then we figured that wasn't gonna work. And so we tried to put it back together the best we could. And we got all legs up and we went to, you know, we went to bed. She. She worked nights and. And she came home in the morning. And I just remember her coming in. I think she put her cup of coffee on the thing. And we heard her go. And we heard my mother go, ah, you mother, like. And my mom was about the whitest woman. Oh, so you.

Interviewer (17:01)

So you, like, just balance.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (17:02)

We just balanced it. The legs went.

Interviewer (17:04)

Oh, my God.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (17:05)

So we put the legs underneath again. No carpenting skills at all. No wood shop or whatever. We just got it. Then we figured it would hold long enough to us. Our plan was to replace it with a duplicate, right? That was the plan. Like, we were going to go to the school wood shop and see, you know, like, I had all these theories, but the whooping wasn't as bad as I thought it was. And then we just weren't allowed to wrestle in the house anymore. What actually went up happened is my brother turned state testified against me.

Interviewer (17:28)

Oh.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (17:29)

I took the whole thing. He even said, like, he kept telling me we couldn't wrestle in the house. Mom said, this isn't a good idea. And he did it. Yeah. Son of a bitch. And I just took it, you know? And she's like, did you pile drive your brother through the coffee table? And I just remember, and this is long before Jack Nicholson's movie, I just remember saying, you damn right I did. I just was like, I'm gonna get beat anyway. You can't handle this, you know? And I just remember looking at my brother, I'm gonna take this whooping, but guess what? I'm gonna get up again, right? I'm gonna see you. It ain't gonna be a coffee table. It's gonna be the front yard. What you gonna do when you tasting that grass? You know, I was always cutting promos and stuff, and. But I was doing that from. From the. I was doing that from the punishment room of my bedroom because when I got grounded, I had a window. So. And of course, I don't know, we used to play outside. When one kid gets grounded, all the other kids play in front of his window. So they just see you sitting outside the window. It's like a horrible. You're just like, you know, and every once in a while, one of them will be like, yeah. And you're just like, oh. And then someone will come up to the window and be like, how long you in for? 2 weeks.

Interviewer (18:39)

I'm not going anywhere.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (18:40)

Yeah. Like. And. And my mother. There was no early release or negotiations, so. But it just kind of grew. And then I got into. And wrestling was. I mean, Hulk Hogan was on Sports Illustrated, but. And my favorite wrestler was Mr. Wonderful. And they had a awesome feud. And Saturday night's main event, a blue steel cage. And. And Orndorff hit the ground. I thought first. I still think he first. And. But they. This restarted the match and he lost. And I'm. I'm sobbing. I mean, I'm just crying because Mr. Wonderful got cheated. And my mother was like, we have to. He's. He's a little too much in to wrestling. We've gotta. It was like an intervention, right? Basically where my. My brother turned state again. He's like, he always makes me wrestle. I don't even like wrestling. I was like, mother, you.

Interviewer (19:28)

Yeah.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (19:28)

Okay. So I'm sitting there and it was a 2020 special on where they were trying to expose wrestling was fake. And my mother made me watch it. And never forget Dr. D. David Schultz is getting interviewed by the guy. He looks like Geraldo, but he doesn't. He's like. I don't know if you've ever seen the 2020 interview. He says, I think wrestling's fake. And I'm sitting there and they put, they made a. They made a compelling case. Like there was a Barry Windham Mr. Fuji match that was. They ran out of time so they had to do it real quick. And he just hit him with a deal and he's like, that's because of this. And they were showing like some of the punches that weren't there. And I was like. And I. Everything I had to answer for. And boxing sometime punches miss, you know. And then he's like, I think wrestling's fake. And I was just like I could. My heart started to crack and I started to think that maybe this, maybe they were right. And my mother was looking at me and she was very kind. She was like, you need to listen to this, you need to understand this. And Dr. D. David Schultz slapped the shit out of him and said, is that fake? That feel fake to you? And slapped him again. Yeah. And I just went like this. Told you. And I just remember I got upside my head and sent to my room. I got another week. But I was like in there crying, proud of myself, like I'm going to be champion and then we'll see who's fake, you know. Again. Never. I had other dreams too. Wanted to be, you know, I wanted to be on tv. I wanted to be a movie star. I wanted to play football. Like I had all these ridiculous dreams. Amazingly accomplished, all of them. So there you go. But wrestling was always a part of like, it was just a great place to like you could escape. And the nice thing about it was every week your heroes were there. It wasn't like boxing or football where there's an off season. Like if, if I. Dusty was there every week. Ms. Reynold was there every week. Haku was there every week. Andre the Giant was there every week. And I just identified to it because those were like the men in my life, you know, if that makes any sense is like. And we. I attached to the like Lou Ferrigno, the Incredible Hulk. Like I attached to these reluctant heroes that all had. They all did positive things and I was like, I want to be like that. And so it just kind of grew, but it never really. And then high school, big time wrestling fan and you know, cutting promos during the football games. And then I was in theater class cutting promos. Like no promos tell a joke. So I had to tell jokes to get my promos in. So. So that's kind of where the comedian stuff came from. And then got into college and that's when it kind of Went away because girls and, you know, doing stuff, and it was like, if it was on. And it was kind of. Kind of dull at the time. I think Hogan was kind of this. You know, he was kind of. You know, it was like, what else you got, bro? And then. And then all of a sudden, the Monday night war started. Nwo. And it was cool again, and I was all about it. And I kept calling the Power Plant like Chael did. And they. They picked up, and I was, like, so excited. And again, for whatever reason, I got hung up on, you know, and then I stopped calling it. And I remember was my sophomore year in college, my buddy, my. One of my best friends in life, Vashon, his nickname was Bink. We played. We were rivals in high school. And then when I got to college, he called me up. He's like, hey, man, how'd you get over there? I'm having some. And they brought him in. So it was like a good place for guys who were having some great issues. The rules were a little different in terms of red shirting and stuff at independent school. So he came down and we decided that we were going to wrestle in the summer. We were going to find. And we were. A name of our tag team was Neighborhood. And for some reason, we needed to dye our hair platinum. There's photos out there somewhere. I thought I destroyed all of them, but they.

Interviewer (23:01)

But good luck on that.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (23:03)

Yeah. And. But we drove all the way from Nebraska to Ontario, Canada. We went to Ike Crippler Shaw's School of Wrestling. Whoa.

Interviewer (23:15)

Yeah, that's hardcore.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (23:17)

And surprisingly, we were doing the roles. We were figuring it out, but it was a little sketch, just a little sketchy. And he had like four or five guys living in a. Like, we had, like, dorms, but they didn't have doors. They had, like, sheets on it. And we were staying there and wrestling above a bank. But we could only train at night because during the day it made two much noise, right? And he kept saying, like, oh, I'm gonna get you signed with the wwe. I'll get you a developmental deal and. Or wcw, but WWE does the developmental deals. So he apparently made an appointment for me to go to WWE headquarters in Canada. And I'm driving up there and I have my letterman jacket on, and I'm so excited. Like, oh, my God, this is my big break. And I'm thinking they're expecting me to give me a developmental deal. Like, I'm. We've made. And Vashon was like, dude, and once you get in, I'm gonna keep training and I'm gonna get in. Like, maybe, you know, we can get in team. Like, are you going to pitch it? I'm like, yeah, yeah, I'm going to pitch it. Like, we're in there. I'm like, yeah, I'm be like this, that whatever. What if like Vince McMahon's just sitting in there, you know, like. And I had all these thoughts in my head how I was going to go, we get there, get up to elevator, walk into the Canada and the Canadian building or whatever it was in a big WWF sign. And I was like, man, yeah. I walk in and I see a poster of the Undertaker and Shawn Michaels. And when I could saw that I was eye to eye with the poster of the Undertaker, I was like, because of those full real life body things that they had to hold the little thing. Shawn Michaels was like, right here. And I was looking him dead in the eye and I was like, oh, man. And I turned and looked the receptionist who was wearing for some reason an all leather outfit. When I turned and looked and she was like, can I help you? And I was like, ah, yes, I'm here to meet with. I think it was Carl DeMarco was the head of the thing. And she looked me up and down, went. And I was like, did I say something funny? And I remember sitting down and I started to get like, why did she, why did she do something wrong with me? And I'm like, do I have something on my face to booger? You know? Like, why did she like, she laughed, she scoffed almost like a, like a you. You know, And I was just kind of like, didn't want to overthink it, but I was overthinking it, you know, and suddenly I went from this enthusiastic guy to like, holy shit. Like, am I supposed to. I had all these things going and I think a lot of that had to do with just being. Always being afraid a little bit. I was always very like. I didn't like failing and I didn't like being told I didn't belong. And I heard that a lot in my life. So. And I was. When I feel it coming on, you just kind of start to shut down. So I was already mentally beat before I walked in there. And Carl did not help. I sat down there and he's like, so how long you been wrestling? And I was like, oh, I've just been training. And I just got here and I've been training for about two weeks and. And they said that I was doing really well. And they said that they Called you. And he's like. And they said something about a developmental deal to where I could train the WWE and stuff. And he's like, I never said that. And I was like. But Ike said. And he's like, ike. And he just kind of giggled. He's like, so, what's your deal then? You know, like, what. What about you as a superstar? And I was like, well, you know, I'm. I'm. I'm six, seven and a half. I play football. I play basketball. You know, I've been watching wrestling my whole life. You can ask me any questions about anything. And he was just like. He's like, what's your nationality? I was like, oh, I'm black and Scottish. And he's like, well, we. You know, he basically kind of said, well, we already have the Rock. We already have the. Like, where do you stand out with these guys? And I was like, well, I really don't know yet. You know, I just wanted. You know, this is something I wanted to do my whole life, and. And this. That. Whatever. He really didn't give a shit what I had to say. So he told me, well, you know, go to the Indies for a couple years and, you know, get some tape together and give me a call. Basically. Basically was you. He's like, yeah, we don't give developmental deals, you know, only guys with names. And I've never even heard of your college. And so, you know, maybe you should just go back to school. And I walked out. I just remember, I didn't even say thank you for your time. I just stood up and I just. As I looked at him, I was like, oh, man, I'm gonna show. We'll see. You know, I just was like. But it was kind of over. It was. It wasn't like, there was no way that I could be like, well, that was positive. He basically said, you don't have a good look. No one gives a shit that you're big and you have no name, so you're of no use to us, basically. You have no future in wrestling. And I. I took him at his word. And I remember I went back and I looked at Vashon and I just said, I want to go. I want to go back. I don't want to stay out here anymore. And Vashon was like, what happened? And I said, ike's full of shit. And basically, I'm not ethnic enough. I'm not white enough. You know, I'm just. I'm not enough for anything. So this. Let's just go home and we Left. And that was kind of the end of the wrestling thing. Still stayed a fan. Still love the nwa still love the guy I still went to. I remember I went to. It was Goldberg versus Haku, and I think it was South Dakota in Nebraska. We drove up my buddies and I was sitting. We had good seats. I was like in the fourth row. And the whole time I'm watching the match, people kept looking at me thinking I was going to jump in. So that was cool, you know. And then I played it up a little bit. I was like, you know, and people like, oh, this is big. So that gave me. But again, I didn't. And even Hogan, when he came out, kind of like, who the is that? When I was standing up with Bischoff, because I was, you know, and again, just as a fan, you know. And then life goes on and. And I'm out of school, I'm out. I'm done with ball and. And I'm working clubs and I'm bodyguarding. And then I go to Saddle Ranch one night where I ran a club with my buddies and it was WrestleMania, was coming to LA and, you know, we used to go to a place called McDoodle Sports Bar to watch it. So we were planning on doing that. And I see Tommy Dreamer, who I'm a huge fan of, and ECW stuff and. And they were standing in line and it was like, him, Carlito, Chris Masters, a couple other people, some divas. And they were standing in line and I was like, oh, hell no, not on my watch. And I walked up the front of these. These guys are with me. And I brought them up and I put them on a VIP table at the stage and shook. And Tommy was so cool. And. And then I was doing my. I had to go bounce or whatever, but I bought them around the drinks and food was on me. I gave them the whole. I gave them the treatment. And I went to my post and then about maybe while they're eating, all of a sudden, Tommy Dreamers standing next to me in the thing and he was hanging out with me. And I was like, this is really cool. And he was like, you're. You're big guy, man. I was like, yeah, he's like, and you're funny. I was like, yeah, I mean, that's just who I am. And then a fight broke. Not really a fight, I was telling you. The two little midgets were grabbing women in the crowd and I went and knocked their little heads together and carried them out. And I. And again, if you want to hear the Whole story. You got to see the Chael thing. So you got to.

Interviewer (30:03)

It's a good plug.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (30:03)

Good plug. And after it was done, I threw the. I suitcase. The guys carried him out, threw him out. And Tommy Dreamer thought it was hilarious and at the same time intense. He's like, you have a smirk on your face when you were throwing guys out. And then another fight broke out at the end of the night where I snatched the guy up by his face and planted him. And as another guy came, as I went to grab him, that guy ran. And as I turned to go get him, he ran and jumped into Tommy Dreamers arms. And Tommy was like, you're okay. And Tommy's carrying him and he's like, he's coming for me. And I'm like, tommy, let him go, let him go. And Tom's like, I got him. I got. I said, what are you doing? And he's like, I'm gonna work the rest of the shift with you. So Tommy Dreamer worked the rest of the night with the club with us. And then of course he had somebody, Carlito, somebody give him the. He had this thing where he would have everyone give him an atomic drop on the guardrail. You know, he's just. He was insane, but he was great. And that's where he's like, hey, man, I think you. I think you got a future. And I was like, again, I had already been told I didn't. And I just looked at him, I said, yeah, you got a future here. If you ever want a job working with me, you got it because you're awesome. And he was like, no, no, I can't promise anything, but send me an 8 by 10 and. And we'll, you know, we'll see if something happens, I'll give you a call. So I mailed it to him, you know, and again, didn't think anything of it. And then I get a phone call about maybe when I had forgot about it. Basically it was about maybe two months and I get a call and it's like, hey, it's Dreamer. Somebody looked at your picture and they think, you gotta look, we're gonna bring you down for a tryout. And I was like, what am I going? And I was literally getting married at the time. He's like, relax, relax. We're just gonna bring you down for a week. And that's when I went down there and they basically tried to make me quit. It was one of the toughest workouts ever. It was a week long. Every night I got back to my hotel room I got two bags of ice and sat in the bathtub and dumped the ice in there and iced my legs every day. And every day they were trying to. And I was about 380, 375 pounds at the time. But my whole goal was, don't finish last. And I'm not going to quit. You're not going to beat me. And Bill tried everything he could do to make me tap, because he only wanted guys that were willing to die for it, and I was willing to be carried out of them. But the one thing I was not going to do was end up like the other guys who tapped, I think guys my size bigger than me, crying, quitting. And I was like, my whole life has been there's. You're gonna have to do a whole lot more than this to me to get me to quit, you know, And I think that. Fire Bill, Jody Hamilton, John Larnitis, Dave Taylor. I'm trying to think of everybody. I don't want to forget anybody who was there, of course, Tommy Dreamer, Mike Bucci. There was so many guys, Brad Armstrong, Dr. Tom Prichard that just believed in me and. Because I just wouldn't quit. And I think that meant something to them. And so I got a call and John Larinaitis walked over me. He was like, hey, kid, I'll tell you What. You lose £50, I'll give you a deal. And I was like, yes, sir. And I worked my ass off, and I lost, actually 75. And then I get the call saying, like, hey, you're gonna. You got a deal. And you're gonna report to McDonough, Georgia, and you're gonna start training. And I. I couldn't. I could not believe it was happening. And then, it's funny, it was a little harder to adjust to the. As a aggressive football player and as a guy who'd been in a lot of fights, more than he ever should have been. I always went forward, and I always would try to just end things. Wrestling, you gotta learn to go forward by moving backwards is probably the best way to describe it. You have to learn to kick your own ass. And that was a struggle because just natural muscle memory, reaction. Guy grabs you, your first move is get the. Off me. Well, we're trying to work, brother. You can't do that. You can't be strong in everything you do. And I remember that was something that Bill kept saying is like, God, you're so strong. He would grapple, you know, when you try to use my. But I would always try to use my strength to Put. And he was like, you're so strong, you know, but he was blowing me up. Like he knew what he was doing, you know, but there was a kindness to the. He beat the dog out of us, Worked us like dogs. And then when practice was over, we had pizza and played dominoes and listen to old wrestling stories. It was like the great. It was just grunts, you know, just guys trying to. It was awesome, man. It was just. And it was so tough, but it was. But it was. Each day got easier, you know what I'm saying? And it was just. But he ended up with a bunch of monsters, you know? And the other wrestling schools apparently weren't going like that. They were doing old school. And when the. I got the call to go up to the house show, I remember. And again, I've always been a smart ass, and the more comfortable I get. And by this time, you know, I was saying shit all the time. And I got kicked out of the gym all the time, you know, like, get out. Because I would say something, you know, hilarious, and he'd kick me out just

Interviewer (34:52)

right over the line.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (34:53)

Yeah. But it was like a. It was also. I was to the point where he knew he had something with me. So, you know, it'd be like a fun thing where I would be like this four minutes left of practice, and I'd say some dumb shit. Yeah. And he would, like, get the out, you know, and I go sit outside. When it was hot as hell in McDonough. So you weren't winning, you know, and there was so many good guys. I was training with Kofi Kingston, Zach Ryder, Brian Myers, Ryback. It was. The Miz was a. Mvp. So many guys came out a great colle. There was so many guys that came out of there, Jack Swagger and myself. So it was. And then he says, hey, you're on the road next week. And I was like, you're on the road next week. You know, like, out of here. He's like, no, you're on. You're on the Christmas house show. And I was like, I only been doing this two months. What me? He's like, your promos. Whoa. You're. You're promos. You're on your way, bro. Do you want me tell him you don't want to go? And I was like, but I'm not. I don't think I'm. My wrestling matches sucked. Kofi Kingston and I had the worst match ever because I only had two moves, and I was told I wasn't allowed to bump because I was A big guy, you don't bump until the end, till I tell you to bump. But everything Kofi did required a bump. Drop kicks closed. So I'm not selling. I'm like this. And finally he jumps and I catch him on a high cross body. Well, my finishing moved. I knew that. I picked the guy up and drove him straight down. And I instinctively did it. Boom. So now what? So the first time, I was 1 2, I pulled his head up and I was like, okay. And then Kofi and I were doing her thing, then I put him in a shitty hold. I remember he yelled, that's not a hold. And I was like, oh. And then I got him the other thing. And all of a sudden, my dyslexia kicked in and I'm on the wrong arm and shit. I'm like, oh, my God, I'm dying here. Shoot Kofi off. And I didn't say anything to him. You gotta tell him what he's doing. Kofi comes off and he does high cross body again. And I catch him. So I'm not allowed to bump. And I hit the move again. Boom. So now I've hit him with two big slams. And I get up, and the only thing I could think of was to talk to the audience. I was like, you have to. One would wonder why he would jump at me again after I. Clearly. Apparently, this guy doesn't get it. So, you know, so now I'm gonna end this. And I turned around and then swung him miss. And Kofi rolled me up, you know, 1, 2, 3. And he just said, get the out of my r. Was awful. That was my match that I had had. And then I get a call that day saying I was going on the road.

Interviewer (37:08)

But do you feel like. Were you ever going to feel completely ready, you know?

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (37:12)

No, you never are. And you know that anyone who's played sports, you're. You're. But there comes a moment of, once you've walked out there. Now, the greatest advice I was ever given about wrestling was from Dusty. He looked at me, says, you're more talented than them. I don't worry about you. When you smell the popcorn and you hear the crowd and you walk out that aisle that first time, you're going to know exactly what to do. I ain't going to tell you, so figure it out. And I just was like, yes, sir. And that first time that I walked out on it was nxt. That first. It was. Well, it was a dark match. The first time I walked. This is before he told me. But the first Time I walked out when I got called up during the Christmas run, I was working Scotty two Hottie. I was with MVP and another guy. And we're driving and To Cleveland was my first match. And we got. Our flight was delayed. We got lost. And I was the first match. And I got there 10 minutes before it started. I wanted to die. I wanted to die. And one of my heroes, Dean Malenko, was the agent. And he looked at me, he's like, you're late and you're up. What do you do? And I was like, I got a clothesline, a body slam. He's like, everyone has that. What's your finish? I was like, I pick a guy up and slam him. And he was like, okay, where's your gear? And I was. At the time, I was dressed up in. I had combat, I had Timberlands.

Interviewer (38:49)

What was your Persona at the time?

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (38:50)

Like, when you were. I was G Rilla. Okay, was G Rilla. I wore a wife beater, cargo camouflage shorts and work boots and a bandana. Was a thug for hire. Well, according to Dean Malenko, I looked like a transient person. And. And it was funny because the ECW guys were there and like, Balls Mahoney walked by me. Literally, his balls are hanging out of his ripped up shorts. He looks like hell. And I'm like. And there's. But there were some great guys there. Chavo Guerrero was there. Batista, when he was just kind of. He was still wrestling the. He was the. The Priest gimmick. And like Booker T. And they. And Chris Benoit and they were just really accepting. And it was in Kane. Kane didn't say much, but he was like. He was cool. Like, hey, welcome. And. And I went out.

Interviewer (39:43)

Super cool guy.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (39:43)

Yeah. But the worst way ever. I wanted to. I wanted. I was in Gorilla. I hadn't even talked to Scotty too Hottie, who was a big time babyface. And he came up to me and he goes, all right, we're gonna keep it easy. I'll call it out there, kid. Just listen to me. I'm like, okay, okay. My music hit. And when I walked out and I came out to Method man and why. It was like the Diesel song. So it was like this sounds like Godzilla and stuff. I walked out there. By the time I got to the ring, I was out of breath. I was my. I was so like amped up. And it was different than football. I had played against in front of big crowds and stuff. But wrestling is just you and all these people. And I get in the ring and I'm so excited and scared at the same time. Scotty's looking over to me and he tells me, hey, take. Take your tank top. You know, throw it. Throw it at me. And he was caught in the crowd. And. And then when they announced my name, I didn't know what to do with my hands. I didn't know, like, the. And I did the stupidest ever. I went, woo. And of course, the whole crowd goes, woo. And then of course, Scotty Cotter's like, no, you're not. Flair. I was like, oh, shit. Like, I'm just like, I'm dying here. I'm dying over here.

Interviewer (40:58)

Yeah.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (40:59)

And we lock up. And when we lock up, he goes, holy shit, kid, relax. You know? And I shoot him off. Shoulder tackle. He bumps another thing. He bumps. And then finally he tells me to shoot him in the corner. He moves. Boom. He hits me with something. I bump. Stay down. He does the worm. Woo hoo. Does the deal. Boom. Everything's going great. And then now it's time for the cutoff. And he shoots me off. And when I clothesline him, I clothesline him like I was down in Deep south where we were lighting each other up like Christmas trees. I didn't know he had a. Apparently he had a fused neck. I had no idea. And when I clotheslined him, I went through him like. You know, because it looked. The crowd was like, oh, shit. And he was just like, what the. Just pin me. And I didn't listen to him because I. I was. Had to hit my thing. I picked him up and I did the deal. One, two, three. And I get in the back and. And Dean Malenko was like, if I wasn't afraid of you hitting me, I'd hit you in the face, you know, it was just like. He's like, you look like. And I was like, yes, sir. Yes, sir. He's like, but hey, the clothesline was good. And I was like, oh, yes. And then I turn and look, and Chavo was looking at me, a little smirk, and he's like, how would you grade yourself? Him. And Booker was like this. And Batista was standing there, and. And I was like. Like a C, C minus, you know? And he's like, yeah, okay, all right. You don't have delusions of grandeur. What do you think was wrong? He said, I'm. He said something to me. He was on the ground. I missed it, and I probably shouldn't have picked him up. And. And. And basically. And I wasn't safe. It was okay. I understand it now. But Scotty Basically didn't want to work with me. And the next night it was, shoot him off. Move, roll up, 1, 2, 3. And I was just. I was like, I thought I did everything right, you know. And he just didn't want to talk to me, really. And it was kind of like. And then the agent, Scott, at that time Tommy Dreamer was no longer talent relations and Mike Bucci was now talent relations. And he called me up and he said, we're gonna send you home. And he goes, it's not anything you did as your gear. You don't have boots, you don't have trunks. I said, well, I was just wearing what I was told I was supposed to wear. He's like, who told you that? And I immediately was like, do I say it was my coach? Like, I was like, am I going to. Am I a mark or a stooge? And I was like, well, it's what my trainer said. Apparently it was a rib, what they call is a joke. He. They wanted me in black tights and black boots. And they sent me looking. What I figured out now was Bill Demont's character, major pain in wcw. And it did not go over well. So they basically said, he's a bust. And they sent me home. And then I was waiting to get fired. And Bucci actually was like. And at the time, I was making about 500 bucks a week. And Bucci said, we're gonna move you up to 750. And I was like, why? I sucked. He's like, it wasn't because of your effort, man. You got with. And at the time, I was supposed to be moving to OVW where they get you ready for TV. So you start at McDonough, then you go to OVW, you get under guys like Al Snow and. And that's where they fine tune you and you go to wrestling. And I was me swaggering a guy named Dan Rodheimer that were the fast trackers that were going to be headed over. I no longer was going. I now had to stay at McDonough. And they said basically they wouldn't even look at me for another six months. And it really was frustrating, but during that time, I slowed down. I kind of. I got to. And then Bill was let go. And then Dr. Tom Pritchard came in. And for me, I needed Bill to get to understand the mental aspects and be mentally tough and physically tough. And he made me prove to myself how bad I wanted it. So I'm always grateful, Dr. Tom. Psychology was what I was lacking. And I was trying to wrestle like the guys I watched as a kid, and he's like, you're not them, you know? And Brad Armstrong, rest his soul, was a huge, like, just relax, baby, and do this and that. And he taught me things like a head scissors takeover that I'll never be able to use in the ring, because why, psychologically, if a big guy does it and a little guy does it, is it exciting anymore? Does it make sense? And I was like, no. And so it was great to go from the physical side to the. And getting to spend time with him. That's the first time I met the American dream. Dusty Rhodes. He came in and he was. He has just finished getting MVP ready for his big tv. And he came down to the office, and I think him. Mpv still lived in Atlanta, and I think they were going to get together and do a workout or go over some character stuff. And Bill Dumont knew I was a huge fan of him. He's like, hey, Dusty's coming in today and you want to meet him? And I was like, yeah, that would be awesome. And I'm sitting there waiting, and Dusty's in there and he's got his Texas hat on. And I come walking in and I was like, Mr. Rhodes, I'm a huge fan. I've been growing, watching all life. And he's, like, looked me up and down, and he's like, I only talk to stars, baby. Are you a star? And I was like, yeah. And he's like, stars don't answer like that. I was just like, well, you know, because you want to be humble, you know? And he was like, come. Come talk to me when you're a star. And I just walked out of there. Like, I didn't ask to meet him, you know, like, him. You know, Basically, I was, like, hurt. Like, I was hurt. I got crushed, basically. And. And then I was there for a little while, and then some shit went down and John Lennon and I showed up and we moved everywhere to fcw, which was in Florida that we. The. It closed and we went to Florida and we started working under Steve Kern, another big psychology guy. But it just was kind of like a new regime. And I didn't really. They didn't. I didn't really fit in with the new regime. And then when Dr. Tom got let go and I was very loyal to him and the new. I just really was kind of like, I don't really fit in with these guys. And. And next thing I know, I was supposed to be a heater. Dusty had come down to get me Ready to be a heater for Morrison with John Morrison. They were giving a big push. Intercontinental title. They wanted me to be his heater. And then something happened, and he got suspended for. I don't remember what it was. So there was nothing for me. And the. The cuts were coming, and I wasn't getting along. And next thing you know, I got released. I got a phone call, and I was let go. And that was it. I was like, well, I didn't make TV. I just wasted. I went to camp in 2006. It's now 2008. Two years of my life, and it was a complete failure. So football failure, wrestling failure. But I didn't burn my bridge. By that time, I was. Before I was bodyguarding for Snoop. I called them, that spot open. I went to work for Snoop for a year, bodyguarding. And then he was the craziest thing is, I'm with Snoop. Snoop loves wrestling. He doesn't understand why they make tv. And I was like. He's like, bro, you're. You're. You're hilarious. Like, you cut people down the. You say to people. And that was like, my thing. Like, I ruined everyone's day. I would cut promo. The guys want to see Snoop, and I would like, no. And there was some. I did some. We'll do. We'll say the Snoop stuff for the Snoop stories, but. And then Snoop's going to Jacksonville. He's gonna. He's hosting. This is when they had guests, general managers, and he was hosting Monday Night Raw. And we were coming from a European tour, and I was like, please send me home. I do not want to go to a WWE event. I didn't make tv. When I got let go, half the guys never heard from again. I don't want to be there. It's gonna be humiliating. Like, if you ever got fired from a job, you don't want to go back. It's awkward, you know? Like, oh, you know. But he's like, I'm not switching you out. You need to go. You need to be there. Like, you work. You're with me now. You know what I'm saying? Walk in with your head high, bruh. Like, you bodyguard. Like, you're the guy like them, you know? And so I went. And I remember, first guy I see is Cody Rhodes. And Cody and I, we had met a few times. He was cool, but he was like, hey, what's up, man? And I just was stoic. Like, sup? You know, Like, I was standoffish. Just think step brothers when they're standing Face to face. The first time, that was me.

Interviewer (48:46)

You can call me Dragon.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (48:47)

Yeah, yeah. You know, I'm not calling you Dragon.

Interviewer (48:49)

Yeah.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (48:49)

And. And we started walking, and then we get to the event and we come walking up, John Larinaitis comes walking out with John Cena to meet Snoop. And they shake hands, and Cena shakes my hand. Cena was always very kind to me. And I actually ran into him after I got let go. He came in and did a song with Snoop and they were all like, oh, man, we gotta write for this white boy and all this shit. He came in, dropped bars and walked out. And I remember everyone was looking at him like the just happened. He just walked in, dropped bars, and the writers didn't even give him shit. He just smoked. He's like, hey, what are you doing here? So I got fired. He's like, they fired you? And I was like, yeah. He's like, oh, that's sucks. Flexible. Hey, man, good seeing you. And I was like, hey, thanks, boss. And that was it. So Cena Larinaitis their show. And then they turn and Cena's like, what's up, big dog, Good to see you again. And I was like, oh, he remembered me, you know? And Larinatis says, you got a second? And there he. Snoop's going with the production people. And he's like, look, we made a mistake. And I was like, what? He's like, we made a mistake. We should never let you go. I said, got. You know, there was some stuff said. It was this and that. He's like. And I had some time to think about it, and I think you should come back. And it was the greatest feeling to hear that from him. And.

Interviewer (50:01)

And you weren't prepared for that?

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (50:02)

No.

Interviewer (50:02)

You were completely like.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (50:03)

No, it was. It was like going. It was like you got divorced, your wife left you for your best friend, and then they had the balls to invite you to their anniversary party. Then you show up and she looks at you and says, you complete me. I miss you. Let's get back together. And you're like. Like, what does he know? And then you look at him, he's like, it's right. You guys need to be together. Yeah, I up. Here's the annulment. Like, you guys. Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to make a toast to the real. You know. And I said, for the first time in my life, I said something that I felt I didn't hold it in. And I said, can I have a couple weeks to think about it? Because, you know, I've I'm with Snoop and I. I just can't quit on him because he didn't quit on me. And he said, take. Take two weeks, kid, let me know. And the rest of the day I was just cheesing, you know, I was just absolutely cheesing because I was like, these guys, you know, And a lot of the boys came up and said, hi and this, that, whatever. Again, Chavo was always like, he. He came in and he worked with Snoop that night, but he came up to me and said hello. I didn't have to go up to him. He was just very gracious and cool, and I was always thankful for. For him and another guy, Conan, were always just like, hey, what's up, Booker T. You know, it's funny, Booker. I guess recently, I guess when I was an NWA champ, said some sideways things or whatever, and, and people were like, hey, do you have anything to say bad about Booker T? And I was like, no, I love Booker T. Like, I don't. He doesn't have to love me back or whatever. Like, I. I'll never forget when my son was being born. I was in Toronto and it was my first, like, first kid, and I was like, numb. I was just walking through the airport and while I was going through security, I left my bag, like, my carry on. I just. I didn't know what I was going to do. And I just remember him taking my hand. He's like, dog, here's your bag. And I was just like, sorry. He's like, I've been there. Like, it's okay, you know, you're going to be a dad. It's okay, you know, And I missed him being born and. But he. I was for always, always grateful for that. So. But again, a lot of the guys just were just cool, you know? And so two weeks went by and I'm Hemming and Han, and I was bodyguarding for an. I used to bodyguard for Larry Pollock, who owned. I was in Arizona, it was hot as hell. And I remember I didn't put enough ice in the car, and I got chewed out for it. And I just remember going, I don't even take this shit anymore. I text John, like, is the offer still up? And he's like, hell, yeah, I'm in. And then I went to Snoop, and the next time I was on shift and I told him the situation, and he looked at me and he was like, you're not a bodyguard. He's like, you're a great bodyguard. He's like, I can go with just you and me. He says, but you don't need to stand behind anybody. He's like, bro, you're talented. It would be a mistake for you not to go chase this. I'm always going to be here. You always got a job. Go. Go be you. Go find you. Because it you. There's more to you than just some bodyguard. And again, always going to be thankful for Snoop, because if he doesn't tell me that, I don't know if I go. Because I had a good thing with Snoop. I had a great job, travel. I was in my home state. Like, I had a good life. I had a solid marriage at the time, and. But he was right. I wanted more. And you got to bet on yourself, but you also have to take into account that when you want more, you're going to lose people, you know? And my marriage ultimately ended because that wasn't the life that she wanted. She liked living in California in a small home, and, you know, that was her thing. She didn't want to do the WWE thing. And so, you know, it didn't work out, but I wanted more, you know, and this time, it was lightning in a bottle. Like, I got there. Dr. Tom, Dusty Rhodes, Steve Kern, Norman Smiley. I got to work out with, like, some animal from the Road warriors, like, all these great legends, Ricky Steamboat, how many hours in the ring. And they all. And I was like, these are. And all of a sudden, all my knowledge mattered. Howard Finkel would come, and I'd demand. He'd tell me Andre the Giant stories. And. And it was just like. It was just. It was completely different. My confidence was unbelievable. And the only thing that had happened was. And I owe Dr. Tom Pritchard, is I gained 120 pounds working for Snoop in a year. So I went from 356 to 456 to 489 because I was just eating with Snoop is up because he eats, like, but he doesn't gain weight. And you're eating the same things. Guess what? When you go grocery shopping at 7:11, you're gonna gain weight, bruh. So it was like Roscoe's Chicken and waffles, Denny's and 7 11. And I worked with a bunch of big Giant guys so none of us would ever notice. We were getting. We were all getting fatter together, right? It was pathetic. I remember I stepped on. I get there. Dr. Tom's waiting for me. I walk in. You gotta weigh in. I stepped on the scale. They said 489. And he looked down and he looked at me, and I was like, oh, shit. And I stepped back, swear to God, and took my shoes off and it got back on the scale because somehow that was, somehow that was going to make a big difference. It took two pounds off.

Interviewer (55:30)

Yeah.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (55:30)

So I was 487. And he just looked at me and he said, what are you going to do? And I was like, I got to lose weight. And he's like, yeah, a lot. Here's what we're going to do. I'm gonna put 380, but you need to get there quick, you know? And I did. And that's when I cena opened up his gym to me. I trained under Hard Knock south with Rob and I got lost weight, which made my. I dropped a weight quick. And we're training. FCW was no acs. We were in the ring training eight hours a day, sweating, and we had to go lift. I, I dropped the weight fast, but it was like I had a lot of loose skin and I wasn't feeling very comfortable, you know. And then the, the decree came down from talent relations, from Vince that he wanted me wrestling in trunks. And I was not excited about being in trunks. When you, like, you go from being thick and all of a sudden you have man boobs and loose skin and you're. Even though you lost weight, you're still fat. You know what I'm saying? Well, you don't know, but. And I had to go out and trunks and I just was like, I don't know if I can do this. You know, I was just panicking. And I'm in the. I remember Dr. Tom, I put him on, he came into the bathroom, he goes, that doesn't look bad. I'm like. He's like, I mean, it's not Abdullah the Butcher. I said, but it ain't Rick Rude either. And he was like, nope, no, it's not. It's not even somewhere in the middle, but just be you like Bundy was big, Big John, like, you're all right, man. And I'm like, just didn't believe it. And I come. And at this time, Dusty Rose was the, he was the in charge of promos and, and all the Hollywood side of things. And he developed guys. And I came walking out and Dusty Rhodes and I'm going to get emotional. He's in a pair. He's like, he's in his 60s. He's walking around with his shirt off and a pair of jeans and gravity is not kind, you know. And I looked at him and I was like. And I just started, I was like, where's your shirt? And he's like, I didn't want you to be alone, baby. Now go out there and work. And you know, when you hear a man have body issues, you're like the. But when you're fat, it sucks. And you're supposed to be an athlete. Because I didn't used to look like that, you know? And that was hard for me. And I was. Eating was my medicine, you know, You. It's like addictions. When people have addictions, people forget that originally they started doing it as medicine to try to fix some kind of pain. And then. And then it's not medicine, you know, But. But it was just one of those things where all of a sudden, like, everything that I had an issue with, whether it was Steve Kern and just work, man. Just be, you know, do your thing. And Dusty, the Psychology of Life. And I don't think I even talked much about wrestling with him. It was always about life. But it always equated to being in the ring, if that makes any sense. And I walked out there in a pair of trunks and I kicked ass and took names. And I was like. I was feeling it. It didn't matter. They call me, whatever they would call me. I didn't give a shit. You know, it was just cool because Dusty believed in me, so everybody else, Dusty, the American dream, believes me. And then, of course, as I continue to become because a star, I'll just. Let's keep it real. And I remember they were like, you'll never be champ. You'll never be this. And you're just gonna get guys over. And Dusty looked at me, he's like, look, baby, you paying for my sins. Because what I used to run against the company, but you're my guy, you know, and he's. I got Dustin, I got Cody, and I got you.

Interviewer (58:54)

I just have a question about what Dustin, you were saying like that. Did you almost see wrestling as like this concentrated tool that just spit out life lessons?

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (59:04)

Yeah.

Interviewer (59:04)

Like, was it. Because for some people, it takes a certain discipline or something that is like, when they participate in that, it's like the best way for them to have life lessons, you know, like, for me, like, participating in combat sports, was that for me, where I would have a session, you know, I would learn something in that session and be like, I can apply this to every aspect of my life 1000%. So how did Dustin.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (59:29)

Dusty, Dusty, Son. Because he. He. What I learned the most from him is that he was the biggest critic of himself. He owned all his shit, all his Mistakes from bad marriages, bad parenting, bad business decisions. He would sit down and he would tell me these stories of the mistakes he made. And I was just like, man, I want to be like that to where I just own everything. Because he's like, what can you say to me? I already know. Like, he was Eminem ing motherfuckers before Eminem did the 8 mile, you know, dusty was like, I'm fat. I'm this, I'm that. He's like, I've been kicked out in the driveway of my house, sitting in my recliner, waiting for Dick to come, Dick Murdoch to come pick me up. And he's like, and I made mistakes, and I did this. And I was just listening to. And he says, but I always found a way. He told me, like, he had a watch he had to sell. He couldn't pay his bills. He wore the. And I remember it was always life lessons with him. And then I'd be in the ring. And the ring wasn't so hard because I was going through a lot, man. I had three kids coming in a year. Just wild shit. I was just, you know. And I just remember when I was getting ready to make my big debut, Dusty just came up to me and he was just like, you got everything you need? There's nothing they can tell you. But understand this. You are mine. And whatever. Whatever they hold against you is because of me. And I said, I would. I'll. I'll. I'll go down on that ship all day, boss. And he helped me. That went up there. And I was a killer. And I was doing things with Alberto at my first WrestleMania, and everything was great. And then I was supposed to be this murderer. I was doing these awesome things. I had this. I wrote my own character thing. It was called the House of Pain, where I would take trophies, like bolo from guys I beat. And that was where we were going. And then me in the locker room cracking jokes. Apparently, Vince walked by and laughed and goes, this guy's entertaining. Apparently, to him, somehow, if you're funny, that means you can dance. It's like the. And they change. And Triple H and Stephanie were. I met with them, and they were doing the vignettes themselves. It was awesome, man. I was like, and I love my vignettes. And I'm training with Arn Anderson, you know, working on just being up. He's like, work like me. Don't work. A big man. And I was just having. And he would. Rolling in sessions with Arn Anderson, you know.

Interviewer (61:44)

And so you had all these different opportunities to come out of your comfort zone.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (61:48)

Yes.

Interviewer (61:48)

Like, even. Like that later stage in your career, like now there's this dancing element where.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (61:53)

No, that was. And I was. And I didn't like it. I hated it. And I remember going to Dusty because I wanted to quit. When Triple H said, hey, I don't even. I'm fighting, but I'm losing. He was. The one thing about Triple H, he was always straight with me, good, bad or indifferent. I always knew where I stood with him. And sometimes I didn't like it, you know, and. But that. That's all right, because you know what? I can never say. He never told me, like, it was. And you. I can take bad news, good news, just don't with me, because I'll hate you forever. And. And I'll get you back. And when they. When it came down and I said to him, can I go see Dusty and figure this out? And he's like, yeah. And I came off the road and went straight to Dusty, and he was waiting for me and no one else. He kicked everyone out the arena. He shut down the school. I walked in there and I was telling him I wanted to quit. And it was a lot for me because this was my dream. And it was ending because I'm not going out there dancing. I'm not doing that shit. And I was telling him everything. He looked at me and he's like, so you better than me? I was like, what are you talking about? He's like, are you better than me? Are you. Are you more of a man than I am? Are you better than me? And I was like, no, sir. He said, I had kids to support, I had a wife to support. And he brought me in the WWE and I was already a made man. And he made me wear polka dots, yellow polka dots, because he wanted everyone to make fun of me. He wanted to embarrass me. And I turned that shit around. I walked out there every night with my head out high because every time I walked out there, there was food on my family's table. Are you better than me? And I was like, no, sir. And get your ass out in that ring and figure it out. I'll do it with you. And I was like, what? And we walked out there and he's like, dance. I'm like, I don't. I don't like to dance. And he had him in this. He had this guy Nailer. I gotta find him. I'm sure he's got. There. It's on video somewhere. It was on a disc I have it. I think it's in my storage somewhere.

Interviewer (63:43)

Empty arena.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (63:44)

Empty arena. Training arena. Yeah. And a TV arena. And it holds about like a thousand people, like, stand or whatever. And he has them play move like Jagger.

Interviewer (63:55)

Yeah.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (63:56)

And I'm like, Is this Maroon 5?

Interviewer (64:00)

Yeah.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (64:00)

Maroon 5.

Interviewer (64:01)

Yeah.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (64:01)

And he steps up to me and starts dancing in front of me, like, come on, baby. And I'm like, no. And he's like. And I'm like, no. And he's like. And then he's like, he's up here. He's like, in my. He takes my hands like, let's dance. I'm like, I'm not like, hey, yeah. And then he was like, well, do something. I'm blacker than you. That pissed me off. And I was like. And I just started, like. It was like a little foot tap and a thing. And then we said. Next thing I know, he's got me. We're dancing together, and I'm doing his stuff that he used to do in the W. And then he stopped dancing, and I just kept dancing to the music, and he just climbed out of the ring, and I was dancing. He's like, you got it. And I was. He's like, but we got to figure something out, man. I was like, yeah, I don't. You know. And then I went. He asked Naomi and to come in and help me. And next, you know, I had the Funkodactyls, and. And we're dancing around the arena and he's doing. And I'm just. He's like, just playing, like. And he's like, but don't be me. You have to be you. And then I said, oh, kind of like you stole from Thunderbolt Patterson. And he's like, sometimes you're too smart for your own good, kid. Yeah, you can steal my. It's not stealing. It's passing along. Okay, cool. So I'm learning and I'm having. I'm having fun with him. And at the same time, my son's grandfather is Haku King Haku Ming, one of the baddest guys in the business. And I'm like. And I'm going to tell him that I'm going to dance. And then when I debuted, I didn't even. And I came out and did the deal, and I. When I got home, and I was like, what did you think? And he was like. He was euphoric. He's like, I loved it. Oh, my. Yeah. That's so awesome. He's like, that's going to. You're going to Be. That's great. And I was like. But I was dancing. He's like, you're feeding your family. Like, every. Every legend came up to me, like, you bitching about, you know, and anyone could be a tough guy. You know, you better, jyd, get the kids in the ring. And I went from me and my macho man bullshit to like, I am. I'm making this mine. And I made it cool. And it wasn't easy. When I debuted, I walked out because they were expecting a murderer, you understand? I was. All my vignettes were in black and white. I was murderer. And when I came out and the music hit. Somebody calling you mama. The audience was like, the. And I remember there was an. He was in his 40s, he had shaved his head, like my mohawk. I get in the ring. Brian Myers, who I was working against, by the way, volunteered to be a squash, which is. I'll always be thankful for him for that, but. And I'm looking across, and the guy, everyone sits down, they're like, the. Is this the pyro head? I ripped my pants off and all that. And I'm looking across, and this guy looks at me and he's like, you suck, bro. It's clay. And it just echoed across the arena. And I just looked at him and said, my bad. And the whole place was like. I was like, my bad. You're not supposed to talk to the camera in the crowd. You don't break the fourth wall. I'm dying any way. Right before I go out, Undertaker comes up to me and he's like, you know what you need to do. And I'm like, what, sir? He's like, fall. I was like, wait, what? He's like, fall. If you fall in the arena, then he'll scrap it and you can go back to being. I mean, he's like, you're the only guy who looks the part. And I was like, would you fall? He's like, no. I'm like, why would you. I'm not doing that. You know? And at the time, and Road Dog was my agent, and we were supposed to debut three times with this shit, and they kept pushing it back, but every time we debuted, he'd come up be like, tonight's the night in Atlanta, baby. It's gonna happen. And then we get cut. And he's like, you know what? Atlanta, Texas, next week in Texas is. That's where it's at. That's where it's gotta happen, you know? And then like, nope. He's like, you know what Memphis is A city of music. That's where it's got to happen. I will never forget how you always took care of me, because that was a tough thing. And even, like, the voiceover, I didn't want to do the. Somebody call your mom. And he's like, I'll do it for you. And he went. And he did the voice like. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together before my announcement come out. And I remember Vince was like, hey, tell him to stop doing shitty road dog impersonations and just do it himself. And we were like, okay. So I did it, but. And then it just kind of, like, it clicked. And next thing you know, coming out, I get to open every house show, get the crowd fired up, do my thing. And it was just. It was awesome. But when I came back from that first match, I hit my thing. One, two, three. They cheered, danced. I came back through the curtain. Triple H was the first one to meet me in there and shook my hands, and Vince and everybody clapped, and he was like, you killed it, kid. That's exactly what we wanted. Thank you. Like, you did it. And then he's like, one more thing. I was like, yeah. He's like, do not look on the Internet tonight. Whatever you do, don't look, because they're going to destroy you. But who gives a shit? This is it. You know? And I just was like, got it. Don't look at the Internet.

Interviewer (68:29)

And you've always had that attitude. For the most part, yeah.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (68:31)

Like, the Internet, kiss my ass. Even when they try to hate on me. I was like, you. I know you're right. You're sitting, you watching me. I don't know you. I know what you cheer for. Your booze give me self esteem. But. And then it just kind of was like. It was a long road to get there. But once I was there, it was. I. Enough time has passed where I look back now and I just laugh. And I think about, like, I didn't enjoy it in the moment because you're. You're. It's such a stressful, and you want. You know. But, like, as time passed on, when I moved on from them, when I ended up in TNA and nwa, it was just. Everything was just less stressful. And I was able to create and do my own thing and wrestled for. I wrestled for the championship in the wwe. I wrestled for the championship in tna. I was always around the top guy, the title pitcher. Then I got to nwa, I won my first title. And I always was like, that attitude where I wanted to be like, hacksaw And Big John, Stud and Bundy, where I didn't need a championship. Big boss man didn't need a championship to be over. I'm over, y'. All. But until you win one, until you get that. When Billy Corgan says, hey, it's you tonight. And I'm wrestling Trevor Murdoch and Zack Ryder, Triple threat match and two great guys. And I remember it was funny because getting towards the end, I can T. I can T bone anyone. Doesn't matter your weight, so I'll throw you. And I don't need help. And I had gave and I was. And Zach was like, give me a good one. And I gave him a big T bone. It was a triple threat and I. Trevor is one of my best friends and was getting to the finish and he tried to sneak away from the T bone, like. Because he was like, gonna do. He just saw Zach and Aaron, he's like, that ain't gonna be me. So he just started to sell away. And I was like, I don't know. You going, it's my turn tonight. And Foom hit the deal and hit the. And I. And I hit the Ming's Haku as a tribute to him. I hit his finish. I gave him both the Dusty elbows, the big elbow drop. And then I hit the deal. And I remember when I won that championship, I took a knee and I put the title up. And I'm not a religious guy, but I thanked Dusty and it was like, I'm in the house. I'm in the. I'm holding the same title that he held. And that meant every same thing with the television title. When I won the television title, I thought of Arne Anderson, like, guys that meant so much to me. And I thought they were the best at that title. So. And it was. It was one of those things where it led to so many other things. If I didn't have the wrestling career, I wouldn't be where I'm at here. I wouldn't have the. Be able to just tell. Just to spit, just to talk without being afraid of consequences. Because you'll figure it out. And you. And best thing ever in life. I always say I call it out there because that was with one of Scotty Too Hot. He said to me in my first match, we'll call it out there, kid. And I was like, I don't have a phone, you know. But then now I know, you know, now I do it on Gutfield. I don't go to meetings like, hey, call it. I'll see you out there. And if someone's like, well, what if we did this? Like Mark, you know, like, call it out there. Mark is somebody who's like a, you know, is an over fan or he's. He knows the biz, but he doesn't. But it's like, it's not a. You don't want to be a Mark. It's like a tattletale. But for me, my wrestling career was the rocket fuel. And now I'm training so hard, like I can come back tomorrow and whip somebody's ass. And I'm thinking about it, you know, maybe me and Chael.

Interviewer (71:52)

Yeah.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (71:54)

But it's been. That's a little bit of it. That's. But it's been. It was the greatest career that I ever had. Like, I love Fox, but it's just something about wrestling in front of. I remember Atlanta, 70,000 people. I'm getting ready to walk out there and Stephanie McMahon stops me and she's like, hey, remember to breathe because you're going to wrestle in front of a city tonight. And she wasn't bullshitting. And when I walked out there, that I cannot. And you're getting booed. Me and Alberto getting booed out the building and edging Christian and. And I just remember when I got there and I looked at that thing and I was just like, you could feel the heat from people. Like, it was just the cr. It's one of the craziest, coolest things ever. And the best part about it was I was fine with it. Now when I was walking out, I had Mothra in my chest. But once you went through the curtain and the crowd, you're just like, I'm home, you know? And that was. And I guess that's the best thing to describe the wwe, tna, NWA, Wrestling in Japan. It was, it was home for me. And that I was at my most comfortable list in a pair of spandex in the ring, wrestling in front of grown ass men and women and children then. And that I think after doing that, after wearing spandex, there is nothing I can't do, literally. Except I don't want to wear them now on television. But if I had to, if I had, if I had to wear trunks on Fox, I'd do it. I don't, I don't think it would be good for ratings, but I can't

Interviewer (73:28)

think of a better way to end an episode.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (73:30)

Yeah.

Interviewer (73:32)

Thank you for doing this. So, yeah, this is part of our My Story series. We're going to go into other jobs, other areas of your life.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (73:40)

We got to talk about me at Arby's. That'll be next.

Interviewer (73:41)

Yeah, absolutely.

Tyrus (George Murdoch) (73:54)

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