Tyrus’s Redemption: From WWE Failure to Fox News Icon – The Incredible Rise of George Murdoch

In the unforgiving arena of professional wrestling—where egos clash and larger-than-life personas battle under glaring lights—few tales are as compelling as that of Tyrus. Towering at 6-foot-7, the man once written off as a failed WWE act has reemerged as a powerful voice on Fox News. Born George Murdoch, he was once seen as a lumbering giant lacking the charisma and verbal flair crucial for wrestling stardom.

With abrupt character changes and being overshadowed by breakout stars like The Shield, his WWE run was plagued by inconsistency. But through resilience, an unexpected bond with Kat Timpf, and the loyal support of Fox News viewers, Tyrus has silenced every critic, evolving into a media force in a league of his own.

A Promising WWE Career Gone Off Course

When George Murdoch debuted in WWE in 2006, many believed the massive Californian was destined for greatness. Weighing in at 375 pounds and radiating intimidation, he seemed tailor-made for the spotlight. Under the name Brodus Clay in WWE’s developmental territories, he began as a classic “monster heel”—a fearsome enforcer. By 2011, he became the bodyguard for top heel Alberto Del Rio, a role that highlighted his brute strength. But behind the curtain, WWE’s creative direction for him lacked clarity, and that indecision would soon derail his career.

The turning point came in 2012 when Tyrus was abruptly rebranded as The Funkasaurus, a dancing, funk-inspired character complete with backup dancers, the Funkadactyls. Overnight, the fearsome giant became a comedy act in flashy tracksuits. While the gimmick initially entertained fans, it undercut his aura of danger and credibility. Critics soon claimed he lacked the acting range and mic presence needed to thrive at the top. “Tyrus had the look, but not the delivery,” one former WWE writer noted. “He wasn’t The Rock. He wasn’t Cena.”

Worse still, the debut of The Shield—featuring Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose—in 2012 accelerated his decline. The trio exploded into main events, quickly overshadowing mid-card talent like Tyrus. Often booked to lose to rising stars, his stock within the company plummeted. “The Shield was WWE’s future,” a wrestling analyst explained. “And Tyrus, despite his size, just wasn’t part of that vision.” By 2014, after years of lackluster booking, he was released from WWE, his main-event aspirations in ruins.

A Brief Reboot in TNA

In search of a new beginning, Tyrus joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2014, this time under the name that would become synonymous with his brand. But once again, he was cast in the role of the muscle—this time for Ethan Carter III. Though physically imposing, Tyrus remained stuck in background roles with little creative input. TNA’s internal instability and frequent restructuring didn’t help. The criticisms followed him from WWE: impressive size, limited range.

“He was an old-school big man, sure,” a TNA producer recalled. “But he didn’t hold attention like the top stars.” By 2017, frustrated and underutilized, Tyrus left TNA. His once-promising wrestling career seemed to be slipping into irrelevance.

A New Spark in NWA

Tyrus’s fortunes took a turn in 2021 when he joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). This old-school promotion, known for its traditional wrestling roots, gave him something he hadn’t received before: creative control. No longer a gimmick or henchman, Tyrus evolved into a dominant heel with real narrative depth. The payoff came in 2022, when he won the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship—a respected title that elevated his status.

At last, Tyrus was a headliner, commanding crowds and carrying storylines. Yet, by this time, he was 49. His body had endured decades of punishment. The NWA title wasn’t just a career milestone—it marked a turning point. It was time to lean into his true gift: communication.

Finding His Voice on Fox News

In 2016, while still active in wrestling, Tyrus made his first appearance on Fox News’s The Greg Gutfeld Show (later Gutfeld!). With his unmistakable presence and a voice refined by years of wrestling promos, he instantly stood out. But it was his pairing with libertarian firebrand Kat Timpf that unlocked his full potential. Timpf, with her razor-sharp humor and quick wit, recognized what others had missed: Tyrus wasn’t just a big man—he was a born storyteller.

Their chemistry on Gutfeld! was undeniable. Tyrus, once seen as stiff and scripted in WWE, now came alive in candid conversations. He joked, debated, and opened up about politics, pop culture, and his rough upbringing. “People say he didn’t have mic skills,” Timpf said in a 2023 interview. “But he just needed the right platform. He’s raw, he’s honest, and people connect with that.”

Audiences were hooked. Praise poured in on social media, hailing Tyrus as a refreshing voice in cable news. His guest spots on The Five, Outnumbered, and Fox & Friends widened his reach. In 2024, Fox backed him with Maintaining with Tyrus, a solo show on OutKick. Tackling everything from cancel culture to resilience, the program became a hit, proving that Tyrus wasn’t just filling airtime—he was shaping conversations.

Redefining Success

Tyrus’s rise is more than a comeback—it’s a redefinition of success. Where WWE and TNA saw a flat character, Tyrus has become a multifaceted commentator and author. With Kat Timpf’s belief in his potential and the loyalty of Fox viewers, he flipped every criticism into a strength. His wrestling days gave him thick skin, but Fox gave him a platform to be heard.

His bestselling memoir Just Tyrus, followed by Nuff Said, laid bare his struggles and triumphs. His honesty resonated deeply with fans who saw in him the story of a man who never gave up.

Today, at 52, Tyrus stands as a symbol of transformation. Once buried in gimmicks and lost in the shuffle, he now commands airwaves and conversation. “I didn’t need a script,” Tyrus once said. “Fox gave me a chance. The people gave me a voice.”

And for someone once told he’d never make it, he’s now the one writing the rules.