BANK STATEMENT #15 - An Open Letter: It's Time to Give Respect the Gobbledy Gooker
Dear Wrestling Fans,
Hi everyone!
I’ve had something on my mind for a while.. In fact, this is something I’ve wanted to say for a long, long time.
This is the month of November, which means it’s been more than 30 years since the debut of one of professional wrestling’s most talked about characters ever. This “gimmick” has been long remembered and lives on in infamy in the eyes of wrestling fans.
That creature is none other than the GOBBLEDY GOOKER.
Now, my reason for writing this letter is for one word: RESPECT.
On November 22, 1990, after weeks of build up on World Wrestling Federation television, a giant egg, placed on an even bigger incubator, hatched before a live pay-per-view audience at Survivor Series. This unique bird looking creature made his way from the giant shells and made his presence felt immediately. The Gooker made his way down the ramp, danced around with legendary announcer Mean Gene Okerlund, and injected a sense of uniqueness for the WWF roster.
Within mere moments, the fans rejected him. Over the coming weeks, crowds jeered at him in person, wrote into wrestling publications on their disgust of him, and outright disrespected him on television.
By the end of 1990, the Gobbledy Gooker disappeared from the WWF.
Sporadically, the Gooker would reappear. He wrestled in the Gimmick Battle Royal at WrestleMania X-Seven, helped celebrate Thanksgiving on various WWE events, and, at last year’s Survivor Series Pre-Show, won the WWE 24/7 Championship, pinning R-Truth and holding it for over an hour.
However, no one ever allowed him to grow on television. Decades later, critics still call him one of the biggest busts in pro wrestling history. WrestleCrap honors him in the most degrading way possible, naming their year-end award “the Gooker Award”, dedicated to the worst in wrestling.
My purpose in writing this open letter is simple. It’s something that needs to be said and it’s a statement I’m prepared to stand behind.
IT’S TIME TO GIVE RESPECT THE GOBBLEDY GOOKER.
The fact that we, as a wrestling community, still talk about the Gooker to this day is incredible. 31 years later, unlike countless other short lived gimmicks, he still lives on.
Many performers have even attempted to disguise themselves as the Gooker to gain an advantage on unsuspecting opponents. Maryse, Drew Gulak, Jey Uso, and even the Boogeyman have dressed up as him and used the outfit to a successful outcome and assault.
The WWE continues to release merchandise featuring the Gooker. A t-shirt and, currently, a pin of the feathered performer is on sale now. Do you see any memorabilia of Techno Team 2000, Skinner, Xanta Klaus, or a plethora of terribleness today? I think not.
The Gobbledy Gooker should have become the official mascot of the WWF Survivor Series, featured in the event every November. Sadly, the entire pro wrestling industry never gave him a chance.
Some things get remembered while others are forgotten over time.. The Gooker has evolved from an object of ridicule to a vintage gimmick. The chance taken on the Gooker was completely outside-of-the-box, especially given the lack of creativity in pro wrestling today. And as an abstract human being, I adore what was born on November 22, 1990.
We need to give respect to the Gobbledy Gooker. It’s about time. I for one will. And you can BANK ON IT.
Sincerely,
Bankie Bruce
