10 Attempted WWE Repackages That Failed Miserably
2. Terry Taylor To The Red Rooster
Speaking of terrible gimmicks…
The Red Rooster lives-on in WWE infamy. The performer, Terry Taylor, was a well-respected southern babyface with great technique, and even greater selling ability. His success increased tenfold with a pre-WWE heel turn, and he was a valuable midcard wrestler for both WCCW and UWF during their heyday.
Unfortunately, Taylor couldn’t parlay his undeniable skill-set into major league success. It looked like his day had finally come when WWE got hold of him in 1988, and while he originally debuted under his regular name, Taylor soon became “The Red Rooster”.
With Bobby Heenan as his manager, The Red Rooster dressed all in red, styled his hair like a rooster’s comb and strutted around the ring like a cockerel. Terry Taylor, one of the most well-rounded talents in the company, was reduced to play the role of a human chicken. Naturally, it flopped.
Quite why WWE tried to repackage one of the south’s most capable in-ring mechanics like this is anyone’s guess. Rumour has it, however, that WWE had originally planned to bestow Taylor with the “Mr. Perfect” gimmick. Curt Hennig wound up taking it and becoming one of the most celebrated professional wrestlers of all time.
Go figure...