J.J. Dillon, best known for managing the legendary Four Horsemen stable, revealed details about one of wrestling's most bizarre characters.
In a new segment on Fightful's "The List & Ya Boy" podcast with Fightful managing editor Sean Ross Sapp and Fightful owner Jimmy Van, Sean Ross Sapp sat down with Dillon and discussed the infamous Gobbledy Gooker character.
“I remember the Gobbledy Gooker," Dillon said. "There was this egg and Gene Okerlund was there and then when the egg popped open, I don’t know what the fans expected, whether it was going to be a Sting or something that was going to be monumental or impactful. This turkey jumped out and I have such respect for Gene Okerlund. He had to go out there and conduct an interview with this Gobbledy Gooker. I didn’t know if the character even made it through the hour, but I had some input as did others.”
The Gobbledy Gooker made his debut after many weeks of anticipation at the 1990 Survivor Series with Hector Guerrero donning the giant turkey costume. According to Dillon, the reasoning behind putting Guerrero, a member of the famous Guerrero wrestling family, in the character was so that there would be a trained wrestler competing in matches as the Gobbledy Gooker just in case he needed to get physical in the ring.
“I’m sure in Vince’s mind, yes [the Gobbledy Gooker would wrestle]," Dillon said. “Hector was somebody who was a polished performer. So if you get somebody to the point where he has to get out in the ring and wrestle, certainly you would want to know that there’s somebody who [can wrestle].”
"The List & Ya Boy" podcast can be seen on Fightful every Wednesday at 3 p.m. live on Fightful.com.
