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Gerald Brisco: A Very Important WWE Employee Who Doesn't Get Discussed Enough

Posted: Apr 7th 2023 By: Nikunj Walia - TheSportster.com

From his run as a tag team wrestler to his time as one of Vince McMahon's "stooges", Gerald Briscoe was one of WWE's longest tenured employees.

The wrestling business has seen various pioneers come and bring their in-ring acumen to the squared circle. Their years inside the ring have revolutionized the industry for the better. Moreover, these trailblazers have then gone on to become key figures as behind-the-scenes personnel to drive the growth and development of future stars of various promotions such as WWE. A prime example that does not get much discussed is Gerald Brisco.

Gerald Brisco, a constant presence on WWE television as a sycophantic "stooge" of wicked WWE boss Vince McMahon, is undoubtedly remembered by fans of World Wrestling Entertainment who look back favorably on the Attitude Era. Younger fans might not be aware that Brisco had a long career in the ring prior to that notable late-career role, even though it ended more than ten years before the Attitude Era even got started.

There is a lot attached to Gerald Brisco when it comes to his history in the wrestling business. So let's deep dive and explore the life of Gerald Brisco

Gerald Brisco Was An Accomplished Tag Team Wrestler

In Oklahoma, Gerald Brisco grew up with five siblings without his father After taking up amateur wrestling like his brother Jack Brisco, he eventually received an athletic scholarship to Oklahoma State after winning two AAU tournaments and only losing two high school matches. In spite of having no professional training, Brisco was asked to fill in for his brother's injured tag team partner while Jack and Brisco were visiting Missouri during the 1968 spring break. Brisco made the decision to leave college and pursue a career as a full-time professional wrestler after contracting hepatitis and injuring his knee.

Gerald Brisco made his debut in 1967 after being formally trained by his brother. Throughout the course of thirteen years, The Brisco Brothers won over twenty tag team championships competing in various wrestling territories affiliated with National Wrestling Alliance, making them a very successful team. Furthermore, he also competed as a singles performer during the 1970s and would amass a number of titles, including becoming the inaugural holder of the Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Title.

The Brisco Brothers Were The Ones Behind The Discovery Of Hulk Hogan

Apart from their own in-ring work, The Briscos' discovery of the guy who would become Hulk Hogan in the middle of the 1970s was one of their greatest contributions to the wrestling industry. At the time, Terry Bollea was a fan of pro wrestling and a weightlifter. He also played bass in the rock group Ruckus from Tampa Bay, Florida, who would play at venues frequented by wrestlers. The Briscos took notice of Hogan’s impressive physique and recruited him to train as a wrestler.

Gerald Brisco Began His Journey With WWE In The Early 1980s

The Brisco brothers joined World Wrestling Entertainment in the fall of 1984. The Briscos unsuccessfully contested the WWE World Tag Team Championship with Adrian Adonis and Dick Murdoch of the North-South Connection. However, in early 1985, both Brisco brothers would retire from in-ring competition and Gerald started working behind the scenes for McMahon as a road agent and booker.

After the Montreal Screwjob in 1997, Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson joined forces with Vince McMahon as his "stooges" on television. The duo became a part of The Corporation and the McMahon-Helmsley faction while portraying a pair of comically clumsy heels. However, after becoming a popular act, Vince McMahon decided to end their gimmick. Brisco himself spoke about this during an interview with Wrestling Inc in 2021 and stated that the WWE Chairman was concerned that the crowd would be enthralled with the "Stooges" more than their flagship stars at that time, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin or The Rock. "Pat and I started getting over as babyfaces, so we thought it was taking some heat off of Vince’s character. At that point, it was time to separate the funny old guys from the mean, old, and tired boss."

Even in retirement Gerald Brisco would be involved in the WWE Hardcore title picture and would wrestle short and hilarious matches that would earn him two championship reigns in the process. Years later, he would recreate his heyday victory by becoming the WWE 24/7 championship in 2019 by pinning his long-time friend, Pat Patterson.

Gerald Brisco was immortalized for his work in 2008 when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. However, after serving in the company for nearly 36 years, Gerald Brisco's run with WWE came to an end as he was officially released from the company on September 10, 2020. His time may have come to an end in WWE, but his body of work and immense contributions will always find a big place in the history books of wrestling.