10 Wrestling Facts We Didn’t Know Last Week (1 Nov)

9. Bobby Heenan Pitched An Eagle Mascot For Jim Duggan

Hacksaw Jim Duggan
WWE

Picturing 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan without his trademark 2x4 wood is nigh-on impossible for those who grew up during his heyday. Cries of, 'Hoooo' and 'USA' were also commonplace, and it turns out something else almost joined them. At one point, Duggan nearly ended up with a mascot he'd carry to the ring.

On Lanny Poffo's Genius Cast, Jim admitted that he wasn't keen on the suggestion. Knowing this, that old prankster Bobby Heenan repeatedly pitched it to Vince as something that'd help Duggan become an even bigger star. Animal mascots were all the rage at the time, Bobby argued, and he only wanted to see his pal flourish.

Duggan knew the real story.

Heenan, bless him, was just at the wind-up. He found it hilarious that Duggan would get flustered at the mere notion, and knew he didn't much fancy looking out for the bird on the road. At several points during this back and forth ribbing, Jim told Heenan to "shut up" and let it go.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.