10 WWE Name Changes That IMMEDIATELY Backfired
6. Terry Taylor = Red Rooster
Cock-a-doodle-don't. Just don't.
In 1988, solid in-ring worker Terry Taylor linked up with star-enhancing manager Bobby Heenan, and it seemed like the sky was the limit for him. Unfortunately for Taylor, the WWF decided that he should become a 'cock of the walk' performer who was all talk and not much else. That was Heenan's role in things - he was there to guide Terry towards victory using his managerial expertise.
All fine enough so far, eh? Then the wheels fell off. Taylor was redubbed 'The Red Rooster' (cock of the walk, remember) and began literally acting like a rooster once he turned babyface. He dyed some of his blonde hair red and spiked it up, and even strutted around the place giving it a little cock-a-doodle-doo action. Immediately, all hopes of creating a new star out of the technically excellent Taylor were dashed, and things would only get worse from there.
Legend has it that Terry was in the running to become Mr. Perfect, but that gimmick went to Curt Hennig instead. It's unclear just how much truth there is to this (Bruce Prichard has laughed at it on his 'Something To Wrestle With' podcast in the past), but if it is then Taylor certainly drew the short straw.
He looked so silly doing his rooster bit, and fans hoping he'd become a fine technician with some heel edge under Heenan's watch were left bitterly disappointed that Taylor became a walking cartoon. Not a good WWF-style walking cartoon like Hulk Hogan, The Ultimate Warrior or even Big Boss Man either.