A Robert Maillet Retrospective » TWNP-Wrestling News
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The popular Canadian actor Robert Mallet, popularly known as Kurrgan in wrestling circles, had a short stint in the WWE back in the late 1990s.
In the WWE, Kurrgan is best known and remembered for being part of The Oddities faction who were a group of wrestlers portrayed as circus freaks.
We tend to view a lot of things associated with the Attitude Era as being good. However, it’s safe to say that Kurrgan’s character did not go according to plan. Big things were expected from him and while it’s worth mentioning and talking about his time in WWE, it is not really something that people will recall easily. Wrestling aficionados will remember Kurrgan well but casual followers of wrestling could be forgiven for forgetting that his stint with wrestling ever happened.
Wrestling has produced some figures who have shone in the industry before going on to excel in Hollywood such as John Cena, Dwayne Johnson and Dave Bautista. It’s safe to say that Kurrgan faded out in wrestling.
Kurrgan actually grew up as a wrestling fan. It’s safe to say that he actually had the attitude that is needed to succeed in the sport. He did not just join the WWE, seeing a quick payday. He had actually wrestled professionally prior to joining the WWE.
His first stint as a professional wrestler arose when New Brunswick’s Grand Prix Wrestling signed new wrestlers. During this time wrestling on the independent circuit, Kurrgan, then known as The Acadian Giant, networked with figures in the industry such as former Stampede performer Leo Burke.
It was through Burke that he eventually got the opportunity to attend WWE tryouts. Like in most industries, being connected to the right people at the right time can take you very far in the professional wrestling industry. Kurrgan also had wrestling stints in Mexico and Japan.
Immediately after joining the WWE in 1997, Kurrgan was sent to further develop his craft at the United States Wrestling Association which was a former developmental territory, spearheaded by Jerry Lawler.
While in the United States Wrestling Association, he was known as The Interrogator and was part of a kayfabe faction of South African heels known as The Truth Commission. The Truth Commission came across as a faction which supported South Africa’s controversial Apartheid regime. Whilst it was probably tolerated on television at that period of time, it is definitely something that will not be allowed on TV today.
The group did achieve success in the USWA and were three time Tag Team Champions in the promotion. After the Truth Commission disbanded, Kurrgan went on to be part of the Oddities which was managed by Don Callis who was known as The Jackyl.
Kurrgan was known for being the dancer in the group. By February 1999, the group was disbanded and released from their contracts. This was the end of Kurrgan’s WWE career.
After leaving wrestling, he was still eager for stardom and so set his sights on becoming a villain in Hollywood.
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