When Bill Irwin signed on with the then-WWF, the company assigned him a new name and a new gimmick. Known as "The Goon," he depicted a hockey player who had been "kicked out of every league he ever participated in." So devoted to the sport was he that he would not only come out with hockey gloves and a stick, but his wrestling boots were fashioned in such a way as to feature thick platform soles that were meant to resemble ice skates (seen above), as apparently fighting on the ice was the only way the character knew how to brawl. Fortunately, the gimmick didn't last particularly long, and a few months after an inauspicious debut on WWF Superstars, he was sent to the penalty box... permanently. ...well, almost. Irwin has been known to drag the ol' skate-boots out of mothballs on occasion for a gimmick battle royal, such as the ones seen at WrestleMania X-Seven and the 15th anniversary Raw special, so perhaps we've not seen the last of The Goon just yet.
Former Nintendo Power writer, current Nintendo Force writer. Wrote the book on Mega Man (The Robot Master Field Guide). Was once fired by Vince McMahon. Dabbles in video games, comic books, toys, and fast food curiosities. Once had a new species of exotic bird named after him. It died.
You can find more of his writings, musings, and other such things on his websites at Nyteworks.net.
