The Tax Man coming to Prince Albert

Rotunda retired from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) nearly two years ago, and prior to that was a producer for 13 years. However he was also among the company’s COVID related cutbacks. With no live shows being run, there was no longer a need for as many producers.

“In my case I just turned 64 at the end of March so I was about there anyways where I had enough of the travelling, week in and week out. It’s a stressful job to produce at WWE because every thing is live and they do big live events,” he explained.

Among Rotunda’s in-ring accomplishments is a five time WWE tag team champion; twice with his brother in law Barry Windham as the U.S. Express, and later with the “Millon Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase and Money Inc. The U.S. Express were actually on the first Wrestlemania card, defending and losing their titles to Nikolai Volkoff and the Iron Sheik.

“It was exciting, it was something new and things were working for the WWE at the time where Hogan was the champion and things were selling out and they really kept us busy that year,” Rotunda recalled.

Rotunda worked over 300 shows in 1985, including multiple shows on the weekends. While admitting he does not watch a lot of the current product, Rotunda said the big difference with tag team wrestling nowadays, compared to the teams he faced (Road Warriors, Natural Disasters), is the smaller size of the teams, and more athleticism.

“Everything changes because if you look at the old NFL football and look at it today things evolve into a different product,” he said.

With Rotunda’s family, wrestling runs deeper than a federal tax audit. His wife is the daughter of the legendary Blackjack Mulligan, and sister of wrestlers Barry and Kendall Windham. The couple’s two sons, Bray Wyatt (The Fiend) and Bo Dallas, may be more familiar to the current generation of wrestling fans. Rotunda explained he never pushed his sons into wrestling, adding when they got to the age where they could start training, both wanted to give a try.

“It’s something that if you grow up around; and I would take them to shows when they were kids and they were in the ring when they were four or five years old,” he said.

When asked about his own I.R.S character and how it came to be, Rotunda explained during his time with the former World Championship Wrestling (WCW), he began doing a character named Michael Wall Street, who was in effect a sort of spin off from a popular Hollywood movie at the time called Wall Street, starring Michael Douglas. Then upon coming to the WWE, Rotunda was re-named I.R.S.

“Because in the states everyone hates the I.R.S because they take your money. It just had natural heat,” he said.

Reflecting back on his time working with the Million Dollar Man, appearing at both Wrestlemania eight and nine, Rotunda explained it was the first time the two men worked together and just had a natural chemistry.

“You either click with somebody or you don’t and after repetition and matches, you just kinda figure out what works and what doesnt,” he said.

Tickets for the Prince Albert show are on sale now at Dr. Java’s on 15th. St. E. or online through the CWE website. As for what fans can expect in Prince Albert on May 26, Rotunda said he will be signing autographs, doing photos, and perhaps doing some in ring promo stuff.

But just because I.R.S won’t be handing out any write offs or delivering any penalties, does not mean fans should not be cautious, especially those who may be late filing their income tax returns.

“They always should be because you can’t get away from the tax man… trust me,” he said.

Also included with CWE’s Saskatchewan tour are Yorkton (May 27), Regina (May 28) and Carnduff (May 29th).

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

The Tax Man coming to Prince Albert

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