Former WWE and TNA wrestler Tyrus recently talked about the debut of his famous “Funkasaurus” character. While it looked fun on TV, the story behind it was full of doubt, along with an unexpected warning from Vince McMahon.
Back in early 2012, Tyrus, who was then known as Brodus Clay, returned to WWE with a completely new look and style. He went from being a serious bodyguard for Alberto Del Rio to a dancing character from “Planet Funk.” He immediately connected with the crowd, and fans enjoyed his entrance.
Tyrus reflects on the reaction to his ‘Funkasaurus’ WWE debut
While talking on Planet Tyrus, the Funkasaurus recalled his debut. “I had the Funkadactyls, and we’re dancing around the arena. It just kind of like, it clicked, and the next thing you know, coming out, I get to open every house show, get the crowd fired up, do my thing, and it was just…it was awesome,” Tyrus said.
Backstage, the reaction was also very positive initially. Tyrus said that both Triple H and Vince McMahon even gave him a standing ovation after his debut. “When I came back from that first match, I hit my thing, 1…2…3, they cheered, danced, I came back through the curtain. Triple H was the first one to meet me in there and shook my hands. And Vince and everybody clapped, and he was like, ‘You killed it, kid. You did it,” Tyrus added.
But things weren’t that straightforward.
Tyrus shared that McMahon later pulled him aside and told him, “One more thing…Don’t check the internet tonight.” It might have sounded strange at the time, especially since the live crowd loved the act. But later, Tyrus understood why.
In an earlier interview with Chris Van Vliet, Tyrus revealed that the Funkasaurus gimmick was actually meant as a punishment. WWE officials didn’t like how he reacted when told he would turn into a fun, dancing babyface. They expected the character to fail.
Tyrus revealed on Talk Is Jericho that even The Undertaker gave him advice that he should fall on the stage so the gimmick might get canceled.
But Tyrus took advice from Dusty Rhodes instead, who told him about his own experience with his polka-dotted gimmick and encouraged Tyrus to own his “Funkasaurus” character. That changed everything.
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