In the world of professional wrestling, where superstars are forged in the fire of spectacle and showmanship, few journeys have been as turbulent—or as inspiring—as that of George Murdoch, better known to fans as Tyrus. Once dismissed as a failed WWE experiment, Tyrus has defied all odds, transforming his bruising ring persona and battered reputation into a new kind of stardom as a Fox News commentator and television personality. His story is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of finding your true voice—even when the world tells you to stay silent.

A Promising Start—and a Painful Fall—in WWE

Tyrus’s wrestling career began with promise. Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing in at 375 pounds, the Californian was an imposing presence from the moment he stepped into WWE’s developmental system in 2006. As Brodus Clay, he was cast as the archetypal “monster heel”—the kind of villain meant to dominate with sheer brute force. In 2011, he was introduced to the main WWE audience as Alberto Del Rio’s intimidating bodyguard, a role that showcased his size and strength.

But behind the scenes, Tyrus’s career was plagued by indecision and creative missteps. WWE’s writers struggled to find a lasting character for him. The first major blow came in 2012, when the company abruptly rebranded him as “The Funkasaurus”—a dancing, fun-loving goofball complete with backup dancers, the Funkadactyls. Overnight, the fearsome enforcer was reduced to comic relief, shuffling to the ring in neon tracksuits and playing for laughs rather than fear.

While the gimmick briefly caught on with fans, it did little to advance Tyrus’s career. Critics said he lacked the mic skills and acting chops needed to carry a main-event storyline. “He wasn’t John Cena or The Rock,” one former WWE writer recalled. “He was a physical specimen, but he wasn’t connecting on the mic.” Worse still, the arrival of The Shield—Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and Dean Ambrose—pushed Tyrus further down the card. He was booked to lose to these rising stars, reinforcing the perception that he was expendable. By 2014, after years of fits and starts, Tyrus was released from WWE, his dreams of wrestling glory seemingly over.

TNA and the Search for Respect

Looking for a fresh start, Tyrus joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2014. Adopting his now-famous ring name, he hoped to find the respect and creative freedom that eluded him in WWE. But history repeated itself. Cast as the muscle for Ethan Carter III, Tyrus was once again relegated to a supporting role, overshadowed by management chaos and lackluster storylines.

The same criticisms followed him: great size, but lacking the charisma and verbal skills to lead. “He was a solid big man, but he wasn’t captivating audiences like AJ Styles or Kurt Angle,” a TNA insider said. By 2017, Tyrus had parted ways with TNA, his wrestling career at a crossroads and his reputation still haunted by the failures of the past.

Redemption in the NWA

It was with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), a promotion steeped in tradition and history, that Tyrus finally found a place to shine. Joining the NWA in 2021, he was allowed to reinvent himself—not as a sidekick or a joke, but as a dominant, menacing heel. The creative freedom paid off. In 2022, Tyrus won the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Championship, a title that had once been worn by legends like Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes. For the first time, he was the face of a promotion, celebrated as a main-event star.

But even as he basked in this hard-earned glory, Tyrus knew time was not on his side. At nearly 50 years old, the physical toll of wrestling was mounting. The NWA title was a crowning achievement, but it also signaled a turning point—the moment to pivot to a new chapter.

Fox News: A New Arena, A New Voice

That new chapter would unfold in an unlikely place: Fox News. In 2016, while still wrestling, Tyrus began appearing on Fox News programs, starting with The Greg Gutfeld Show (later Gutfeld!). His wrestling background gave him a unique edge—a larger-than-life presence and a quick wit honed in the ring—but it was his authenticity that set him apart.

Enter Kat Timpf, the libertarian commentator known for her sharp humor and fearless commentary. Timpf saw in Tyrus what WWE and TNA had missed: a natural storyteller with a gift for connecting. On Gutfeld!, the duo’s chemistry was electric, blending Timpf’s biting satire with Tyrus’s grounded, relatable perspective. “Tyrus is a force,” Timpf said in 2023. “He’s got a raw authenticity that resonates. WWE missed out big time.”

Fox News audiences agreed. Tyrus’s appearances on Outnumbered, The Five, and Fox & Friends quickly made him a favorite. Fans praised his humor, candor, and willingness to speak his mind—qualities that had been liabilities in wrestling, but were assets in the world of cable news. In 2024, Fox rewarded him with his own show, Maintaining with Tyrus, on OutKick. The program’s mix of commentary, humor, and personal stories struck a chord, cementing his status as a bona fide media star.

Turning Doubt into Triumph

What makes Tyrus’s journey remarkable is not just his success, but the way he turned his supposed weaknesses into strengths. In wrestling, he was told he couldn’t act or speak. On Fox News, those very traits—his straightforwardness, his refusal to play a part—made him a star. With Kat Timpf’s encouragement and the loyalty of Fox viewers, Tyrus found the platform he’d always needed.

He’s also become an author, releasing a memoir, Just Tyrus, and a follow-up, Nuff Said, sharing his story of struggle and perseverance. Through it all, he’s inspired countless fans who see in him a model of reinvention and resilience.

Out of Their League

Today, at 52, Tyrus stands tall—not just as a survivor, but as a winner. He’s outlasted the critics, outshined the doubters, and outgrown the roles others tried to force upon him. “I didn’t need a script to be me,” he said recently. “Fox gave me a chance, and the fans gave me a voice.”

For a man once written off as a failed wrestler, Tyrus’s journey is proof that the best comebacks happen when you stop trying to fit in—and start telling your own story. In the end, the giant who was told he’d never make it has become a giant in a whole new arena, rewriting the rules and inspiring others to do the same.