Former WWE Producer Says Tugboat Almost Headlined A WrestleMania; Talks This Generation's Ric Flair
On episode 42 of WOOOOO! Nation, two-time WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair spoke with professional wrestling veteran, Bruce Prichard. During the show, Prichard shared some stories about his days with WWE and went on to put over Chris Jericho as this era's Ric Flair.
According to Prichard, The Red Rooster gimmick was not given to Terry Taylor as a rib. In reality, Taylor reminded Vince McMahon of a rooster.
"Red Rooster, how that gimmick came about, Vince met Terry Taylor, thought he was cocky and arrogant, [and] reminded him of a rooster. That's the honest to God's truth. I know Terry and everybody thought that it was a rib, [but] it was not a rib! No, it was [McMahon] saw [Taylor] as this cocky rooster, this cock of the walk, and wanted him to be The Red Rooster. He wanted him to do his hair and to strut and be that guy. But Terry looked at it like a rib and thought everybody was goofing on him and all the boys ribbed him and laughed at him. If he had embraced it, [and] made it his own, it would've made all the difference in the world."
Interestingly, Prichard claimed that Fred Ottman, who was Tugboat in WWE and the infamous Shockmaster in WCW, was originally slated to headline WrestleMania 7. Apparently, McMahon's idea to turn Ottman heel as Sheik Tugboat went over "like a fart in church". Instead, Sgt. Slaughter took Ottman's spot.
"The idea was that we'd have a red-hot heel take the title from Warrior and then Hulk [Hogan] would come in, All American type [of] deal, and face the champion in front of 107,000 people." Prichard continued, "this super red-hot babyface that was going to be turned to this super, just ungodly, red-hot heel to go to WrestleMania and fill 107,000 seats was Tugboat. Big Fred Ottman who's a sweetheart of a guy, a great guy, it was Tugboat."
See Also: Bruce Prichard Remembers Brother Love, Says Hulk Hogan & Andre Didn't Want To Work With Him
Also during the podcast, Prichard spoke rather favorably about Jericho.
"Chris Jericho is probably the Ric Flair of this day and age right now. He can go out and make anybody look good. You had Ric Flair who could make anybody look good. Then, you had Shawn Michaels who could make anybody look good. I think Jericho is at that level right now. I think he's doing a hell of a job."
To listen to the show, click here. If you use any of the quotes that appear in this article, please credit WOOOOO! Nation with an H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Source: WOOOOO! Nation