10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (March 11)
2. Jim Duggan Thought Terry Taylor Needed To Embrace 'Red Rooster' Gimmick
Irrespective of personal preference, it cannot be denied that the WWF enjoyed massive financial success in the 1980's.
Some fans didn't like that era, feeling it spat on wrestling traditions but Vince McMahon didn't care, he was looking to appeal to a mass market, not solely pro wrestling enthusiasts. This helps to explain wacky gimmicks like the Red Rooster.
A fine in-ring performer, Terry Taylor was handed the lame gimmick in 1988. Even though he was also given Bobby 'The Brain' Heenan as his manager, Taylor didn't really take to the character and clearly had problems playing it. A babyface turn didn't help since the Rooster looked ridiculous.
Intriguingly, 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan feels Taylor should have put more energy into the character to try and make it a success. Speaking to Jim Ross on The Ross Report, Duggan cited The One Man Gang's switch to the 'African Dream' Akeem as proof that even something which seems ludicrous can be turned into a winner.
Akeem embraced the gimmick change, regardless of its silly nature. Meanwhile, Terry Taylor never really seemed to settle, and he was released by the WWF in 1990. A later run as 'Terrific' Terry Taylor didn't really go anywhere, either.