Few moments in wrestling history have sparked as much intrigue and bewilderment as Survivor Series 1990—not for the legendary debut of The Undertaker, but for the introduction of a character that epitomized one of WWE’s most peculiar creative Thanksgiving gambles: The Gobbledy Gooker.
The Gobbledy Gooker hatches from the giant egg during Survivor Series 1990, marking one of WWE’s most peculiar creative gambles. On the right, Héctor Guerrero, the talented wrestler behind the costume, whose dedication brought this infamous character to life. Photo Credit: WWE, Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
Survivor Series 1990: The Mystery of the Egg Unfolds
The giant egg, featured prominently in WWE programming leading up to Survivor Series 1990, became a viral sensation before "viral" even existed. Fans speculated about what it might contain, from Ric Flair to a dinosaur, but no one could have guessed what was inside. Photo Credit: WWE.
In the latter part of 1990, WWE’s creative team orchestrated one of wrestling’s most peculiar marketing campaigns. A giant egg, wheeled from arena to arena, became the focal point of weekly television broadcasts leading up to the Survivor Series pay-per-view. For months, this prehistoric-sized prop dominated WWE programming, becoming the most anticipated element of the upcoming event.
Behind the scenes, Héctor Guerrero, one of Eddie Guerreror’s older brothers, waited patiently inside a box beneath the giant egg for six hours before the show, equipped with only a TV monitor, a light, and some refreshments.
As the Hartford Civic Center crowd grew restless, “Mean” Gene Okerlund began his signature buildup: “Things are really heating up! When it’s so hot so long, that means that the incubation is all over. That means all of us are looking forward to seeing this giant egg. Wherever this egg comes from, that had to hurt!”
Okerlund’s showmanship reached its peak as he continued: “Oh, this cracks me up! I can begin to see it cracking now. Everybody has speculated as to what might be in the egg. Is it a dinosaur? Is it a rabbit? Balloons? Is it the Playmate of the Month?”
The Great Reveal: Gobbledy Gooker’s Debut at Survivor Series 1990
On November 22, 1990, at the Hartford Civic Center, WWE fans witnessed two unforgettable debuts: The Undertaker and the Gobbledy Gooker. Survivor Series 1990 became a night of wrestling legend and oddity. Photo Credit: WWE.
The speculation had run wild – some believed it might contain Ric Flair making his WWE debut, while others imagined more fantastical possibilities. Even Mark Calaway, who would debut as The Undertaker later that evening, had initially worried the egg might have been intended for his character.
When the moment of truth arrived, the crowd’s excitement quickly turned to bewilderment as Héctor Guerrero emerged in full turkey regalia. The reaction wasn’t the thunderous boos that often greet wrestling villains but rather a confused silence that spoke volumes about the audience’s feelings.
The Vision Behind WWE’s Mascot Experiment
The Gobbledy Gooker hatches from the mysterious egg at Survivor Series 1990, marking one of WWE’s boldest creative experiments. Vince McMahon sought to create a character that could entertain and wrestle, ultimately casting Héctor Guerrero in the role. Photo Credit: WWE.
The Gobbledy Gooker emerged from WWE’s creative team’s desire to create a mascot character similar to the San Diego Chicken. Vince McMahon specifically sought a skilled performer who could both entertain as a mascot and wrestle, leading to an extensive search for the right talent.
The selection process began in early 1990 when, following a recommendation from wrestling legend Dusty Rhodes, WWE reached out to Héctor Guerrero. After a successful in-person audition, Guerrero secured the role, though the circumstances of performing proved challenging.
Challenges Héctor Guerrero Faced in the Gobbledy Gooker Costume
Mean Gene Okerlund interviews the Gobbledy Gooker moments after its debut at Survivor Series 1990. Héctor Guerrero endured technical challenges inside the costume, including poor visibility and grueling conditions. Photo Credit: WWE.
The Gobbledy Gooker costume presented significant technical challenges from the start. Héctor Guerrero could only see through two small holes drilled into the giant bulging plastic eyeballs of the turkey mask, severely limiting his vision. On debut night, Guerrero endured a grueling four-hour wait confined beneath the giant egg, equipped with only basic amenities – a fan for cooling, a light, and a monitor to follow the show’s progression.
A particularly memorable incident at Madison Square Garden highlighted the costume’s severe limitations. When crew members rushed Guerrero through the curtain into complete darkness, a spotlight suddenly pierced through the costume’s white eyeballs, completely blinding him. Unable to see, Guerrero stumbled down the aisle, skinned his knee on the steel steps, and crashed onto the mat when attempting a flip into the ring.
Backstage, the incident drew an immediate reaction from Vince McMahon, who walked away visibly upset. Wrestling veteran Gorilla Monsoon approached Guerrero afterward, immediately recognizing the visibility issues that had caused the mishap. Despite these setbacks, Guerrero maintained his professionalism, stating, “I worked pretty hard. I put my 110, 115 percent, like all my matches. I put all of my ability into it.”
The character’s run lasted barely a month before WWE quietly stopped booking Guerrero. While initially offered a chance to reprise the role at Survivor Series 1991, Guerrero declined.
Years later, Guerrero reflected on the character with a newfound perspective: “The Gobbledy Gooker wasn’t meant for the adults. It was for the children.”
This understanding was shaped by his subsequent career as a gymnastics coach and his work with young people.
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From Misfire to Cult Favorite: The Gobbledy Gooker’s Legacy
The Gobbledy Gooker’s legacy has evolved from ridicule to endearment. Seen here in a later appearance, the character returned over the years, adding humor and nostalgia to WWE’s storytelling. Photo Credit: WWE.
Several performers have donned the turkey suit since its 1990 debut, each adding their own interpretation to the Gobbledy Gooker’s legacy.
The character’s most notable returns included Héctor Guerrero’s appearance at WrestleMania X-Seven in 2001 for the Gimmick Battle Royal, where he was quickly eliminated by “Tugboat” Fred Ottman.
The costume has since been worn by an impressive roster of WWE talent, including The Boogeyman (2008), Maryse (2009), Xavier Woods (2015), and Jey Uso (2015).
Drew Gulak’s portrayal as “The Gobbledy Gulaker” in 2017 marked a particularly memorable chapter, culminating in the character’s greatest achievement – capturing the WWE 24/7 Championship at the 2020 Survivor Series, exactly thirty years after its debut.
The Gooker’s cultural impact extends beyond the ring. The character inspired WrestleCrap’s annual “Gooker Award,” which recognizes the year’s most questionable wrestling storylines or gimmicks. This dubious honor has been bestowed upon numerous controversial moments in wrestling history, from David Arquette’s WCW Championship reign to more recent developments like CM Punk’s AEW run.
Although it initially failed to connect with fans, the Gobbledy Gooker has achieved something rare in professional wrestling: it has transcended its status as a creative misfire to become a cherished part of WWE’s rich array of characters. The mascot’s latest appearance was on the November 26, 2020 edition of WWE Main Event. During that show, the character was attacked by Mace and T-Bar, members of the Retribution faction, who laid him out with a double chokeslam.
Reflections from Héctor Guerrero: The Man Behind the Feathers
Héctor Guerrero, pictured during his time in WCW, defended the Gobbledy Gooker’s legacy as a noble attempt to entertain children. Despite the costume’s challenges, he maintained pride in his contribution to wrestling history. Photo Credit: WWE.
In a 2016 interview with Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard, Héctor Guerrero offered a passionate defense of the character that would define his WWE legacy.
“The Gobbledy Gooker is called the biggest flop in professional wrestling history, but it wasn’t meant for the adults. It was for the children. Vince wanted to do something noble, which I take my hat off to and respect.”
Speaking with Bill Apter for 1Wrestling.com, Guerrero additionally addressed his critics directly: “It’s not that I’m brown-nosing to anybody. The Gobbledy Gooker was a good thing, and the author of that idea deserves to be left alone.”
Guerrero’s memory of the costume’s technical challenges remained vivid. During his Sports Illustrated conversation, he detailed the visibility issues, claiming, “The eyes were outside, and they were bubbled out—it was almost like they drilled holes through golf balls.”
Reflecting on his blinding mishap at MSG, Guerrero recalled, “The building went black, and they shone the lights on me, and all I could see was white. I couldn’t see down, up, left, or right.”
Despite these setbacks, Guerrero maintained his professionalism.
"My Dad [Gory Guerrero] taught us to wrestle like if we were wrestling with brooms. If we could wrestle with a broom, you could have a match."
Through the years, Guerrero’s perspective on the character has remained unwavering. His experience as a PE teacher at Mintz Elementary School from 2002 to 2009 only reinforced his belief in the character’s intended purpose – bringing joy to children, even if the execution fell short of expectations.
The Gobbledy Gooker: A Unique Place in WWE’s History
Decades later, the Gobbledy Gooker remains a symbol of WWE’s willingness to embrace the absurd. Its debut at Survivor Series 1990, alongside legends like Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart, cemented its place as a uniquely infamous moment in wrestling folklore. Photo Credit: WWE.
The Gobbledy Gooker stands as a unique chapter in WWE’s creative history, marking a distinct period before the era of outlandish characters like Mantaur, Giant Gonzalez, The Goon, and Repo Man.
Whether fans laughed with it or at it, the character achieved something rare in wrestling: transcending its original reception to become an enduring part of WWE folklore.
For those curious to relive this infamous moment, the unveiling of The Gobbledy Gooker can be viewed below:
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JP Zarka is the founder of Pro Wrestling Stories, established in 2015, where he guides the site's creative vision as editor-in-chief. From 2018 to 2019, he hosted and produced The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo, brother of WWE legend Macho Man Randy Savage. His diverse background includes roles as a school teacher, assistant principal, published author, musician with the London-based band Sterling Avenue, and being a proud father of two amazing daughters. He has appeared on the television show Autopsy: The Last Hours Of and contributed research for programming on ITV and BBC.
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