Concept and creation and infobox |
|||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{Infobox character |
|||
⚫ | |||
| name = The Gobbledy Gooker |
|||
| image = The Gobbledy Gooker.jpg |
|||
⚫ | |||
| first = [[Survivor Series]] ''([[Survivor Series (1990)|1990]])'' |
|||
| last = ''[[WWE Main Event|Main Event]]'' ''(November 27, 2020)'' |
|||
| creator = [[Vince McMahon]] |
|||
| portrayer = [[Héctor Guerrero]] (1990, 2001)<br>[[The Boogeyman (wrestler)|The Boogeyman]] (2008)<br>[[Maryse Ouellet]] (2009)<br>[[Xavier Woods]] (2015)<br>[[Jey Uso]] (2015)<br>[[Drew Gulak]] (2017, 2020) |
|||
}} |
|||
'''The Gobbledy Gooker''' is a [[professional wrestling]] [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|character]] originally portrayed by [[Héctor Guerrero]]. The character is a [[turkey (bird)|turkey]] mascot, portrayed by a wrestler in a bird costume. In the weeks leading up to the [[Survivor Series (1990)|1990 Survivor Series]], the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now WWE) hyped the debut by showcasing a large [[egg]] at live shows, causing much speculation among wrestling fans. Guerrero was jeered by fans in attendance when he hatched out of the egg and the character was quickly dropped by the promotion. It subsequently attained a legacy as being one of the worst characters in the history of professional wrestling. After a lengthy hiatus, WWE began sporadically using the character again and several other wrestlers have donned the Gobbledy Gooker costume. Thirty years after its debut, it won the [[WWE 24/7 Championship]] at the [[Survivor Series (2020)|2020 Survivor Series]]. |
'''The Gobbledy Gooker''' is a [[professional wrestling]] [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|character]] originally portrayed by [[Héctor Guerrero]]. The character is a [[turkey (bird)|turkey]] mascot, portrayed by a wrestler in a bird costume. In the weeks leading up to the [[Survivor Series (1990)|1990 Survivor Series]], the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now WWE) hyped the debut by showcasing a large [[egg]] at live shows, causing much speculation among wrestling fans. Guerrero was jeered by fans in attendance when he hatched out of the egg and the character was quickly dropped by the promotion. It subsequently attained a legacy as being one of the worst characters in the history of professional wrestling. After a lengthy hiatus, WWE began sporadically using the character again and several other wrestlers have donned the Gobbledy Gooker costume. Thirty years after its debut, it won the [[WWE 24/7 Championship]] at the [[Survivor Series (2020)|2020 Survivor Series]]. |
||
==History== |
==History== |
||
===Concept and creation=== |
|||
The concept for the Gobbledy Gooker was that it would serve as a [[Turkey (bird)|turkey]] [[mascot]] for the [[World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF, now WWE) akin to the [[San Diego Chicken]].<ref name="Prichard">{{cite web|last1=Thompson|first1=Conrad|last2=Prichard|first2=Bruce|author-link1=Conrad Thompson|author-link2=Bruce Prichard|title=Bruce Prichard Shoots on The Gobbledy Gooker|work=[[Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uxJarPpK2o|via=[[YouTube]]|access-date=March 1, 2021 |date=February 25, 2018|time=4:40}}</ref> In addition to being a mascot, WWF promoter [[Vince McMahon]] intended the [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|character]] to wrestle and sought a skilled performer for the role.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/jj-dillon-explains-ideas-gobbledy-gooker/|title=J.J. Dillon Explains Ideas For The Gobbledy Gooker|last=Toro|first=Carlos|work=Fightful|date=May 20, 2017|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> After a recommendation from [[Dusty Rhodes (wrestler)|Dusty Rhodes]], WWF officials began contacting [[Héctor Guerrero]] in early 1990.<ref name="Mental Floss"/> After a successful in-person audition months later, Guerrero landed the role and was set to debut at the upcoming [[Survivor Series (1990)|Survivor Series]] event, which was to take place on [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] night.<ref name="Mental Floss"/> |
|||
⚫ | In the weeks leading up to the Survivor Series, the WWF began hyping the new character by displaying a large [[egg]] at several events. This caused rampant speculation about what was in the egg and the most popular theory was that multi-time [[World Heavyweight Championship (professional wrestling)|world champion]] [[Ric Flair]], who wrestled for the rival promotion [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW), was going to debut in the WWF by hatching from it.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/wwe/news/14203/11129866/five-memorable-moments-from-wwe-survivor-series|title=Five memorable moments from WWE Survivor Series|last=Lake|first=Jefferson|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=November 14, 2018|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> [[Mark Calaway]] had recently signed with the WWF and feared that the egg was to hype his debut. He ultimately debuted as The Undertaker in an unrelated segment at the same event.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.cbr.com/wwe-undertaker-gobbledy-gooker-debut/|title=The Undertaker Was Convinced He Was Going to Debut as the Gobbledy Gooker|last=Bernaschina|first=Michael|publisher=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=November 20, 2019|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> |
||
===Héctor Guerrero portrayal (1990, 2001)=== |
===Héctor Guerrero portrayal (1990, 2001)=== |
||
[[File:Hector Guerrero.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Héctor Guerrero]] portrayed the original Gobbledy Gooker]] |
[[File:Hector Guerrero.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Héctor Guerrero]] portrayed the original Gobbledy Gooker]] |
||
⚫ | Announcer [[Gene Okerlund]] appeared next to the egg at Survivor Series and speculated that it contained a [[dinosaur]], [[balloons]] or perhaps the [[Playmate of the Month]]. After these comments, the egg hatched and Guerrero climbed out of it in the costume. He then approached Okerlund for an interview but spoke only by making [[Turkey call|turkey noises]]. This prompted Okerlund to call him "the Gobbledy Gooker". As fans in attendance at the [[Hartford Civic Center]] stated to boo, a rock and roll rendition of "[[Turkey in the Straw]]" began to play and Okerlund and Guerrero danced in the ring. Despite the crowd's rejection of the segment, commentator [[Roddy Piper]] said that the Gobbledy Gooker had "won the heart of [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]!" and his broadcast partner [[Gorilla Monsoon]] described it as a "big smash".<ref>{{cite book |first1= R.D. |last1= Reynolds|year= December 16, 2010 |title= The Very Worst of Professional Wrestling |publisher= [[ECW Press]] |isbn= 1554905443|authorlink1=R.D. Reynolds | url=https://archive.org/details/wrestlecrapveryw00rdre |page=19–21}}</ref> |
||
⚫ | In the weeks leading up to the |
||
⚫ | Announcer [[Gene Okerlund]] appeared next to the egg at Survivor Series and speculated that it contained a [[dinosaur]], [[balloons]] or perhaps the [[Playmate of the Month]]. After these comments, the egg hatched and |
||
Despite initial plans for the Gobbledy Gooker to be a reoccurring character, it disappeared from the promotion a month after Survivor Series.<ref name="Mental Floss"/> The character was not seen again until [[WrestleMania X-Seven]] in 2001, when Guerrero returned to the persona for one night and wrestled his only match under the moniker during the "Gimmick [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|Battle Royal]]". He was quickly eliminated by [[Fred Ottman|Tugboat]].<ref name="Mental Floss">{{cite news|url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71655/gobbledy-gooker-wrestlings-most-bizarre-gimmick-25-years-later|title=The Gobbledy Gooker: Wrestling's Most Bizarre Gimmick|last=Debendetto|first=Paul|work=[[Mental Floss]]|date=November 23, 2017|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> |
|||
===Portrayals by others (2008–2020)=== |
===Portrayals by others (2008–2020)=== |
||
[[File:Drew Gulak Axxess 2018 crop.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Drew Gulak]] portrayed the character in 2017 and 2020, including during its brief [[WWE 24/7 Championship]] reign]] |
[[File:Drew Gulak Axxess 2018 crop.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Drew Gulak]] portrayed the character in 2017 and 2020, including during its brief [[WWE 24/7 Championship]] reign]] |
||
Since 2008, WWE has sporadically used the character in storylines or skits during |
Since 2008, WWE has sporadically used the character in storylines or skits during Thanksgiving week. The first such appearance was at the [[Survivor Series (2008)|2008 Survivor Series]], where [[The Boogeyman (wrestler)|The Boogeyman]] dressed as the Gobbledy Gooker in a skit with [[The Bella Twins]] and [[The Colóns (2002–2010)|The Colóns]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-survivor-series-2008-breakdown/|title=The Survivor Series 2008 Breakdown|last=Dunn|first=J.D.|work=[[411Mania]]|date=November 27, 2008|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> The next appearance was on the November 23, 2009, episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', when [[Maryse Ouellet]] disguised herself as the Goobledy Gooker to attack [[Melina Perez]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/3553-raw-results-11-23-09/|title=Raw Results – 11/23/09|last=Nemer|first=Paul|work=[[WrestleView]]|date=November 23, 2009|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> In 2013, WWE released a series of comical [[YouTube]] videos called "The Gobbledy Gooker Goes To Work".<ref>{{cite book |year= September 29, 2020 |title= WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment New Edition |publisher= [[DK Publishing]] |isbn= 9780744035100 |page=133 |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/WWE_Encyclopedia_of_Sports_Entertainment/YLXmDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0}}</ref> To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its debut, [[Xavier Woods]] of [[The New Day (professional wrestling)|The New Day]] donned the turkey costume on the November 26, 2015, episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]]''. Later that episode, [[Jey Uso]] disguised himself as the Gobbledy Gooker to attack his New Day partners.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/wwe/news/13043/10080676/wwe-smackdown-dean-ambrose-earns-intercontinental-title-shot|title=WWE Smackdown: Dean Ambrose earns Intercontinental Title shot|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|date=November 27, 2015|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> On the November 21, 2017, edition of ''[[205 Live]]'', [[Drew Gulak]] dressed up as the Gobbledy Gooker, referring to himself as "the Gobbledy Gulaker".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-results/wwe-205-live-results-gulak-faces-tozawa-street-fight-246761|title=WWE 205 Live Results: Gulak Faces Tozawa in a Street Fight|last=Peeples|first=Jeremy|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|date=November 21, 2017|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> |
||
Gulak reprised his role as the Gobbledy Gooker for the thirtieth anniversary of its debut at [[Survivor Series (2020)|2020 Survivor Series]], although his identity was not revealed during the show.<ref name="fightful"/> During the pre-show, the character won the [[WWE 24/7 Championship]] by defeating [[R-Truth]].<ref name="win">{{cite news|url=https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/watch-gobbledy-gooker-wins-24-7-championship/|title=Gobbledy Gooker Wins 24/7 Championship|last=Quarrinton|first=Norm|work=[[Pro Wrestling Sheet]]|date=November 22, 2020|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> Later that night, it lost the title to [[Akira Tozawa]], who quickly lost it to R-Truth.<ref name="fightful">{{cite news|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/report-drew-gulak-was-gobbledy-gooker-producer-list-wwe-survivor-series/|title=Report: Drew Gulak Was The Gobbledy Gooker, Producer List For WWE Survivor Series|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|work=Fightful|date=November 22, 2020|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> The character made another appearance with R-Truth on the following episode of ''[[WWE Main Event|Main Event]]'', where it was attacked by [[Retribution (professional wrestling)|Retribution]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2020/11/27/11-25-wwe-main-event-tv-report-ali-explains-the-backstory-on-the-names-of-each-retribution-member-on-miz-tv-bizarro-episode-with-elias-playing-throughout-ricochet-hardy-main-event/|title=11/25 WWE Main Event TV Report: Ali explains the backstory on the names of each Retribution member on Miz TV, Bizarro episode with Elias playing throughout Ricochet-Hardy main event|last=Meyers|first=Mike|work=[[Pro Wrestling Torch]]|date=November 27, 2020|access-date=November 27, 2020}}</ref> |
Gulak reprised his role as the Gobbledy Gooker for the thirtieth anniversary of its debut at [[Survivor Series (2020)|2020 Survivor Series]], although his identity was not revealed during the show.<ref name="fightful"/> During the pre-show, the character won the [[WWE 24/7 Championship]] by defeating [[R-Truth]].<ref name="win">{{cite news|url=https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/watch-gobbledy-gooker-wins-24-7-championship/|title=Gobbledy Gooker Wins 24/7 Championship|last=Quarrinton|first=Norm|work=[[Pro Wrestling Sheet]]|date=November 22, 2020|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> Later that night, it lost the title to [[Akira Tozawa]], who quickly lost it to R-Truth.<ref name="fightful">{{cite news|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/report-drew-gulak-was-gobbledy-gooker-producer-list-wwe-survivor-series/|title=Report: Drew Gulak Was The Gobbledy Gooker, Producer List For WWE Survivor Series|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|work=Fightful|date=November 22, 2020|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> The character made another appearance with R-Truth on the following episode of ''[[WWE Main Event|Main Event]]'', where it was attacked by [[Retribution (professional wrestling)|Retribution]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2020/11/27/11-25-wwe-main-event-tv-report-ali-explains-the-backstory-on-the-names-of-each-retribution-member-on-miz-tv-bizarro-episode-with-elias-playing-throughout-ricochet-hardy-main-event/|title=11/25 WWE Main Event TV Report: Ali explains the backstory on the names of each Retribution member on Miz TV, Bizarro episode with Elias playing throughout Ricochet-Hardy main event|last=Meyers|first=Mike|work=[[Pro Wrestling Torch]]|date=November 27, 2020|access-date=November 27, 2020}}</ref> |
||
Line 19: | Line 31: | ||
==Legacy== |
==Legacy== |
||
The Gobbledy Gooker is remembered by many as one of the biggest flops in the history of the professional wrestling industry. The satirical wrestling website [[WrestleCrap]] named its annual [[booby prize]] the "[[Gooker Award]]" after the character.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/article/LK/20070224/News/605202465/SH|title=Grappling with life|last=Cox|first=Billy|work=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]|date=February 24, 2007|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> In ''The Wrestlecrap Book of Lists!'', [[R. D. Reynolds]] listed the Gobbledy Gooker as the second worst wrestling character of all time, behind [[Terry Taylor|The Red Rooster]],<ref name="WrestleCrap">{{cite book|title=The Wrestlecrap Book of Lists!|last1=Reynolds|first1=R.D.|authorlink=R. D. Reynolds |
The Gobbledy Gooker is remembered by many as one of the biggest flops in the history of the professional wrestling industry. The satirical wrestling website [[WrestleCrap]] named its annual [[booby prize]] the "[[Gooker Award]]" after the character.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldtribune.com/article/LK/20070224/News/605202465/SH|title=Grappling with life|last=Cox|first=Billy|work=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]|date=February 24, 2007|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> In ''The Wrestlecrap Book of Lists!'', [[R. D. Reynolds]] listed the Gobbledy Gooker as the second worst wrestling character of all time, behind [[Terry Taylor|The Red Rooster]],<ref name="WrestleCrap">{{cite book|title=The Wrestlecrap Book of Lists!|last1=Reynolds|first1=R.D.|authorlink=R. D. Reynolds |
||
|pages=354–356|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2007|isbn=978-1550227628|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HFBTUhnc9DwC&q=the%20rock%20biggest%20star%20wwe&pg=PA282}}</ref> while ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' placed it on a list of wrestling's most regrettable gimmicks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tv.avclub.com/the-shockmasters-14-regrettable-wrestling-gimmicks-and-1798243621/slides/10|title=The Shockmasters: 14 regrettable wrestling gimmicks and the stars behind them|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> ''[[Muscle & Fitness]]'' described the character as being the worst dressed wrestler of all time, writing: "having a WWE Superstar compete in a full Turkey suit is perhaps the most ridiculous concept ever".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Felstead|first1=Scott|title=The 11 Most Outlandish Ring Attires in WWE History |url=https://www.muscleandfitness.com/athletes-celebrities/news/11-most-outlandish-ring-attires-wwe-history|work=[[Muscle & Fitness]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415235804/https://www.muscleandfitness.com/athletes-celebrities/news/11-most-outlandish-ring-attires-wwe-history|archivedate=April 15, 2019|accessdate=November 24, 2020}}</ref> [[Bleacher Report]] and ''[[411Mania]]'' each ranked the character as having the second worst debut/reveal of all time, second to the Shockmaster (portrayed by [[Fred Ottman]], who also wrestled as Tugboat and eliminated the Gobbledy Gooker at WrestleMania X-Seven).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/2896671-ranking-the-10-worst-ever-reveals-in-wwe-and-wcw-history|title=Ranking the 10 Worst-Ever Reveals in WWE and WCW History|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|last=Beaston|first=Erik|date=June 18, 2020|access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-411-wrestling-top-5-the-top-5-worst-debuts/|title=The 411 Wrestling Top 5: The Top 5 Worst Debuts|work=[[411Mania]]|last=Csonka|first=Lary|date=February 9, 2015|access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> During a 2008 episode of ''[[WWE Classics on Demand#Legends of Wrestling|Legends of Wrestling]]'', |
|pages=354–356|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2007|isbn=978-1550227628|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HFBTUhnc9DwC&q=the%20rock%20biggest%20star%20wwe&pg=PA282}}</ref> while ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' placed it on a list of wrestling's most regrettable gimmicks.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://tv.avclub.com/the-shockmasters-14-regrettable-wrestling-gimmicks-and-1798243621/slides/10|title=The Shockmasters: 14 regrettable wrestling gimmicks and the stars behind them|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=January 13, 2016|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> ''[[Muscle & Fitness]]'' described the character as being the worst dressed wrestler of all time, writing: "having a WWE Superstar compete in a full Turkey suit is perhaps the most ridiculous concept ever".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Felstead|first1=Scott|title=The 11 Most Outlandish Ring Attires in WWE History |url=https://www.muscleandfitness.com/athletes-celebrities/news/11-most-outlandish-ring-attires-wwe-history|work=[[Muscle & Fitness]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415235804/https://www.muscleandfitness.com/athletes-celebrities/news/11-most-outlandish-ring-attires-wwe-history|archivedate=April 15, 2019|accessdate=November 24, 2020}}</ref> [[Bleacher Report]] and ''[[411Mania]]'' each ranked the character as having the second worst debut/reveal of all time, second to the Shockmaster (portrayed by [[Fred Ottman]], who also wrestled as Tugboat and eliminated the Gobbledy Gooker at WrestleMania X-Seven).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bleacherreport.com/articles/2896671-ranking-the-10-worst-ever-reveals-in-wwe-and-wcw-history|title=Ranking the 10 Worst-Ever Reveals in WWE and WCW History|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|last=Beaston|first=Erik|date=June 18, 2020|access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-411-wrestling-top-5-the-top-5-worst-debuts/|title=The 411 Wrestling Top 5: The Top 5 Worst Debuts|work=[[411Mania]]|last=Csonka|first=Lary|date=February 9, 2015|access-date=February 8, 2021}}</ref> During a 2008 episode of ''[[WWE Classics on Demand#Legends of Wrestling|Legends of Wrestling]]'', Dusty Rhodes, who had previously written for WCW and was responsible for creating the Shockmaster, revealed that he and McMahon would joke about which character was worse.<ref>{{Cite episode |title= Worst Characters |series=[[WWE Classics on Demand#Legends of Wrestling|Legends of Wrestling]]|station=[[WWE Classics on Demand]] |date=June 1, 2008 |time=9:21–9:35}}</ref> |
||
WWE describe his debut as an "unmitigated disaster", but add: "Like an [[Ed Wood]] movie, The Gooker was such a terrible persona that it eventually endeared itself to the WWE Universe".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/gobbledygooker|title=Gobbledy Gooker|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 26, 2020}}</ref> Guerrero has defended the character, stating: "The Gobbledy Gooker is called the biggest flop in professional wrestling history, but it wasn’t meant for the adults. It was for the children. Vince wanted to do something noble, which I take my hat off to and respect."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/11/23/week-wrestling-kevin-nash-on-diesel-creation-of-undertaker|title=Week in Wrestling: Kevin Nash on Diesel; creation of Undertaker; Gobbledy Gooker speaks|last=Barrasso|first=Justin|work=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=November 23, 2016|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> Okerlund addressed Guerrero during his [[WWE Hall of Fame]] induction in [[WWE Hall of Fame (2006)|2006]], saying: "Héctor, we had a lot of fun, but all of this is forgotten". Paul Debendetto of ''[[Mental Floss]]'' disagreed with Okerlund's assessment, given the character's enduring legacy, writing: "the Gooker lives on. And Héctor wouldn’t have it any other way."<ref name="Mental Floss"/> |
WWE describe his debut as an "unmitigated disaster", but add: "Like an [[Ed Wood]] movie, The Gooker was such a terrible persona that it eventually endeared itself to the WWE Universe".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/gobbledygooker|title=Gobbledy Gooker|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 26, 2020}}</ref> Guerrero has defended the character, stating: "The Gobbledy Gooker is called the biggest flop in professional wrestling history, but it wasn’t meant for the adults. It was for the children. Vince wanted to do something noble, which I take my hat off to and respect."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/11/23/week-wrestling-kevin-nash-on-diesel-creation-of-undertaker|title=Week in Wrestling: Kevin Nash on Diesel; creation of Undertaker; Gobbledy Gooker speaks|last=Barrasso|first=Justin|work=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=November 23, 2016|access-date=November 24, 2020}}</ref> Okerlund addressed Guerrero during his [[WWE Hall of Fame]] induction in [[WWE Hall of Fame (2006)|2006]], saying: "Héctor, we had a lot of fun, but all of this is forgotten". Paul Debendetto of ''[[Mental Floss]]'' disagreed with Okerlund's assessment, given the character's enduring legacy, writing: "the Gooker lives on. And Héctor wouldn’t have it any other way."<ref name="Mental Floss"/> |
Revision as of 14:03, 1 March 2021
The Gobbledy Gooker | |
---|---|
First appearance | Survivor Series (1990) |
Last appearance | Main Event (November 27, 2020) |
Created by | Vince McMahon |
Portrayed by | Héctor Guerrero (1990, 2001) The Boogeyman (2008) Maryse Ouellet (2009) Xavier Woods (2015) Jey Uso (2015) Drew Gulak (2017, 2020) |
The Gobbledy Gooker is a professional wrestling character originally portrayed by Héctor Guerrero. The character is a turkey mascot, portrayed by a wrestler in a bird costume. In the weeks leading up to the 1990 Survivor Series, the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) hyped the debut by showcasing a large egg at live shows, causing much speculation among wrestling fans. Guerrero was jeered by fans in attendance when he hatched out of the egg and the character was quickly dropped by the promotion. It subsequently attained a legacy as being one of the worst characters in the history of professional wrestling. After a lengthy hiatus, WWE began sporadically using the character again and several other wrestlers have donned the Gobbledy Gooker costume. Thirty years after its debut, it won the WWE 24/7 Championship at the 2020 Survivor Series.
History
Concept and creation
The concept for the Gobbledy Gooker was that it would serve as a turkey mascot for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) akin to the San Diego Chicken.[1] In addition to being a mascot, WWF promoter Vince McMahon intended the character to wrestle and sought a skilled performer for the role.[2] After a recommendation from Dusty Rhodes, WWF officials began contacting Héctor Guerrero in early 1990.[3] After a successful in-person audition months later, Guerrero landed the role and was set to debut at the upcoming Survivor Series event, which was to take place on Thanksgiving night.[3]
In the weeks leading up to the Survivor Series, the WWF began hyping the new character by displaying a large egg at several events. This caused rampant speculation about what was in the egg and the most popular theory was that multi-time world champion Ric Flair, who wrestled for the rival promotion World Championship Wrestling (WCW), was going to debut in the WWF by hatching from it.[4] Mark Calaway had recently signed with the WWF and feared that the egg was to hype his debut. He ultimately debuted as The Undertaker in an unrelated segment at the same event.[5]
Héctor Guerrero portrayal (1990, 2001)
Announcer Gene Okerlund appeared next to the egg at Survivor Series and speculated that it contained a dinosaur, balloons or perhaps the Playmate of the Month. After these comments, the egg hatched and Guerrero climbed out of it in the costume. He then approached Okerlund for an interview but spoke only by making turkey noises. This prompted Okerlund to call him "the Gobbledy Gooker". As fans in attendance at the Hartford Civic Center stated to boo, a rock and roll rendition of "Turkey in the Straw" began to play and Okerlund and Guerrero danced in the ring. Despite the crowd's rejection of the segment, commentator Roddy Piper said that the Gobbledy Gooker had "won the heart of Hartford!" and his broadcast partner Gorilla Monsoon described it as a "big smash".[6]
Despite initial plans for the Gobbledy Gooker to be a reoccurring character, it disappeared from the promotion a month after Survivor Series.[3] The character was not seen again until WrestleMania X-Seven in 2001, when Guerrero returned to the persona for one night and wrestled his only match under the moniker during the "Gimmick Battle Royal". He was quickly eliminated by Tugboat.[3]
Portrayals by others (2008–2020)
Since 2008, WWE has sporadically used the character in storylines or skits during Thanksgiving week. The first such appearance was at the 2008 Survivor Series, where The Boogeyman dressed as the Gobbledy Gooker in a skit with The Bella Twins and The Colóns.[7] The next appearance was on the November 23, 2009, episode of Raw, when Maryse Ouellet disguised herself as the Goobledy Gooker to attack Melina Perez.[8] In 2013, WWE released a series of comical YouTube videos called "The Gobbledy Gooker Goes To Work".[9] To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its debut, Xavier Woods of The New Day donned the turkey costume on the November 26, 2015, episode of SmackDown. Later that episode, Jey Uso disguised himself as the Gobbledy Gooker to attack his New Day partners.[10] On the November 21, 2017, edition of 205 Live, Drew Gulak dressed up as the Gobbledy Gooker, referring to himself as "the Gobbledy Gulaker".[11]
Gulak reprised his role as the Gobbledy Gooker for the thirtieth anniversary of its debut at 2020 Survivor Series, although his identity was not revealed during the show.[12] During the pre-show, the character won the WWE 24/7 Championship by defeating R-Truth.[13] Later that night, it lost the title to Akira Tozawa, who quickly lost it to R-Truth.[12] The character made another appearance with R-Truth on the following episode of Main Event, where it was attacked by Retribution.[14]
Legacy
The Gobbledy Gooker is remembered by many as one of the biggest flops in the history of the professional wrestling industry. The satirical wrestling website WrestleCrap named its annual booby prize the "Gooker Award" after the character.[15] In The Wrestlecrap Book of Lists!, R. D. Reynolds listed the Gobbledy Gooker as the second worst wrestling character of all time, behind The Red Rooster,[16] while The A.V. Club placed it on a list of wrestling's most regrettable gimmicks.[17] Muscle & Fitness described the character as being the worst dressed wrestler of all time, writing: "having a WWE Superstar compete in a full Turkey suit is perhaps the most ridiculous concept ever".[18] Bleacher Report and 411Mania each ranked the character as having the second worst debut/reveal of all time, second to the Shockmaster (portrayed by Fred Ottman, who also wrestled as Tugboat and eliminated the Gobbledy Gooker at WrestleMania X-Seven).[19][20] During a 2008 episode of Legends of Wrestling, Dusty Rhodes, who had previously written for WCW and was responsible for creating the Shockmaster, revealed that he and McMahon would joke about which character was worse.[21]
WWE describe his debut as an "unmitigated disaster", but add: "Like an Ed Wood movie, The Gooker was such a terrible persona that it eventually endeared itself to the WWE Universe".[22] Guerrero has defended the character, stating: "The Gobbledy Gooker is called the biggest flop in professional wrestling history, but it wasn’t meant for the adults. It was for the children. Vince wanted to do something noble, which I take my hat off to and respect."[23] Okerlund addressed Guerrero during his WWE Hall of Fame induction in 2006, saying: "Héctor, we had a lot of fun, but all of this is forgotten". Paul Debendetto of Mental Floss disagreed with Okerlund's assessment, given the character's enduring legacy, writing: "the Gooker lives on. And Héctor wouldn’t have it any other way."[3]
Championships and accomplishments
References
- ^ Thompson, Conrad; Prichard, Bruce (February 25, 2018). "Bruce Prichard Shoots on The Gobbledy Gooker". Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard. Event occurs at 4:40. Retrieved March 1, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ Toro, Carlos (May 20, 2017). "J.J. Dillon Explains Ideas For The Gobbledy Gooker". Fightful. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Debendetto, Paul (November 23, 2017). "The Gobbledy Gooker: Wrestling's Most Bizarre Gimmick". Mental Floss. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Lake, Jefferson (November 14, 2018). "Five memorable moments from WWE Survivor Series". Sky Sports. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Bernaschina, Michael (November 20, 2019). "The Undertaker Was Convinced He Was Going to Debut as the Gobbledy Gooker". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Reynolds, R.D. (December 16, 2010). The Very Worst of Professional Wrestling. ECW Press. p. 19–21. ISBN 1554905443.
- ^ Dunn, J.D. (November 27, 2008). "The Survivor Series 2008 Breakdown". 411Mania. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Nemer, Paul (November 23, 2009). "Raw Results – 11/23/09". WrestleView. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment New Edition. DK Publishing. September 29, 2020. p. 133. ISBN 9780744035100.
- ^ "WWE Smackdown: Dean Ambrose earns Intercontinental Title shot". Sky Sports. November 27, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Peeples, Jeremy (November 21, 2017). "WWE 205 Live Results: Gulak Faces Tozawa in a Street Fight". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ a b Lambert, Jeremy (November 22, 2020). "Report: Drew Gulak Was The Gobbledy Gooker, Producer List For WWE Survivor Series". Fightful. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ a b Quarrinton, Norm (November 22, 2020). "Gobbledy Gooker Wins 24/7 Championship". Pro Wrestling Sheet. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Meyers, Mike (November 27, 2020). "11/25 WWE Main Event TV Report: Ali explains the backstory on the names of each Retribution member on Miz TV, Bizarro episode with Elias playing throughout Ricochet-Hardy main event". Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ Cox, Billy (February 24, 2007). "Grappling with life". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Reynolds, R.D. (2007). The Wrestlecrap Book of Lists!. ECW Press. pp. 354–356. ISBN 978-1550227628.
- ^ "The Shockmasters: 14 regrettable wrestling gimmicks and the stars behind them". The A.V. Club. January 13, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Felstead, Scott. "The 11 Most Outlandish Ring Attires in WWE History". Muscle & Fitness. Archived from the original on April 15, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Beaston, Erik (June 18, 2020). "Ranking the 10 Worst-Ever Reveals in WWE and WCW History". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Csonka, Lary (February 9, 2015). "The 411 Wrestling Top 5: The Top 5 Worst Debuts". 411Mania. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Worst Characters". Legends of Wrestling. June 1, 2008. Event occurs at 9:21–9:35. WWE Classics on Demand.
- ^ "Gobbledy Gooker". WWE. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- ^ Barrasso, Justin (November 23, 2016). "Week in Wrestling: Kevin Nash on Diesel; creation of Undertaker; Gobbledy Gooker speaks". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 25, 2016). "January 25, 2016 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2015 Observer Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California: 1–49. ISSN 1083-9593.
External links
- Gobbledy Gooker on WWE.com