Tyrus (wrestler) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tyrus
Tyrus in 2014
Birth name	George Timothy Murdoch
Born	(1973-02-21) February 21, 1973 (age 52) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Alma mater	Antelope Valley College University of Nebraska at Kearney
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)	Brodus Clay G-Rilla George Murdoch George T. Murdoch Monstrous BC Tyrus
Billed height	6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Billed weight	375 lb (170 kg)
Billed from	The Concrete Jungle Pasadena, California Planet Funk
Trained by	Deep South Wrestling Florida Championship Wrestling
Debut	2006
Retired	2023

George Murdoch (born February 21, 1973) is an American TV personality, actor, and former professional wrestler. He is best known by his wrestling name Tyrus. As a wrestler, he was a champion in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). He held the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship. Today, Tyrus appears on Fox News and its streaming service Fox Nation. He is a co-host on the show Gutfeld!. Since 2024, he has also hosted Maintaining with Tyrus on OutKick.

Tyrus started his wrestling career after training with WWE. He was known as Brodus Clay on NXT. He later became famous for his "Funkasaurus" character. This character was a fun-loving dancer. He was joined by his backup dancers, the Funkadactyls. After leaving WWE in 2014, he wrestled as Tyrus in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). In 2021, he joined the NWA. There, he won the NWA World Television Championship. He then won the NWA's top title, the World's Heavyweight Championship.

Tyrus has also written books. His 2022 book, Just Tyrus: A Memoir, was a New York Times bestseller. His second book, Nuff Said, came out in 2023.

Early Life and Education

George Murdoch was born on February 21, 1973. He grew up in a mixed-race family. He has shared that his childhood was difficult. He left home when he was 15 years old.

In the 1990s, Murdoch went to Quartz Hill High School in California. He then attended Antelope Valley College. Later, he studied to become a teacher at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He also played college football for the Lopers. However, his football career ended due to a leg injury.

Before becoming a wrestler, Murdoch worked as a bodyguard. He even worked for the famous rapper Snoop Dogg.

Murdoch married Ingrid Rinck Herbert on January 7, 2024. She is a fitness trainer. They have a daughter named Georgia, who was born on May 7, 2014.

Professional Wrestling Journey

Starting in WWE

G-Rilla at an FCW event in 2007

George Murdoch signed with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2006. He started in their training schools. These were called Deep South Wrestling (DSW) and Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). He used the name G-Rilla and played a tough street character. He left WWE in 2008 but returned in 2010.

Rise on NXT and Raw

When he came back, he started using the name Brodus Clay. This name was a nod to Snoop Dogg's real name. In late 2010, he joined the fourth season of NXT. This show featured new wrestlers learning from experienced pros. Brodus Clay finished second in his season.

After NXT, Clay joined the main WWE shows. He became the bodyguard for wrestler Alberto Del Rio. He helped Del Rio in his matches. Clay even went with Del Rio to WrestleMania XXVII in 2011.

The Funkasaurus Era

Clay as the Funkasaurus with The Funkadactyls (Naomi and Cameron), and Hornswoggle dancing

In 2012, Brodus Clay changed his character. He became "The Funkasaurus." This was a fun, dancing character. He was a "face," meaning a good guy in wrestling. He came to the ring with his backup dancers, The Funkadactyls (Naomi and Cameron). He quickly became popular. He had a long winning streak, beating many opponents.

The Funkasaurus often danced and entertained the crowd. He even had a special appearance at WrestleMania XXVIII. He later teamed up with Tensai, forming a tag team called "Tons of Funk." They were also joined by The Funkadactyls.

In late 2013, Clay's character changed again. He became more aggressive and jealous. He started attacking other wrestlers. This made him a "heel," or a bad guy. He left WWE in June 2014.

Time in TNA and NWA

After WWE, Murdoch joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in September 2014. He started using the name Tyrus. He teamed up with Ethan Carter III (EC3). Tyrus had many matches in TNA. In 2015, he won a special match called "Gauntlet for the Gold." This made him the top challenger for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. He left TNA in 2018.

In 2021, Tyrus joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). He quickly made an impact. He won the NWA World Television Championship in August 2021. He defended this title many times. In November 2022, Tyrus won the biggest title in the NWA. He became the NWA World's Heavyweight Champion. This was his first world championship.

Tyrus defended his NWA World title successfully. He even appeared in a commercial for Fox News during the Super Bowl LVII. In August 2023, Tyrus lost his NWA World title to EC3. He had agreed to retire if he lost this match. After the match, Tyrus said goodbye to wrestling.

Acting and TV Work

Tyrus has also had a career in acting and television.

Movies

Television Shows

Achievements and Awards

Tyrus has won several championships and awards in his wrestling career:

• National Wrestling Alliance
  • NWA World's Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • NWA World Television Championship (1 time)
• Pennsylvania Premiere Wrestling
  • PPW Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
• Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • Ranked No. 58 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2023
• Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
  • Bound for Gold (2015)
• WWE
  • Slammy Award (1 time)
    • Best Dancer of the Year (2012)

Books Written by Tyrus

• Just Tyrus: A Memoir (2022), Post Hill Press
• Nuff Said (2023), Post Hill Press

See also

In Spanish: George Murdoch (luchador) para niños