George Murdoch is an American cable news personality and former professional wrestler. He made his WWE debut in 2006 under the name "G-Rilla." He is recognized by his ring name, Tyrus. During his stint in WWE, he achieved significant success, winning key matches, including a battle royal that placed him as the number one contender for the FCW Southern Heavyweight Championship.
George Murdoch, WWE Wrestler with ring name Tyrus
He was also awarded The Best Dancer of the Year at WWE's Slammy Awards in 2012. After a colorful WWE career, Tyrus also competed in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and National Wrestling Alliance.
Post his wrestling years, Tyrus transitioned to become a host on Fox News and Fox Nation. He's the co-host of the late-night talk show "Gutfeld!" and the host of Maintaining with Tyrus on the Fox-owned streaming platform OutKick.
Early Life
Childhood
George Murdoch was born on February 21, 1973, in Boston, Massachusetts. He had young parents; his father was African American, and his mother was Caucasian. He had a tough childhood and faced abuse from his father, even reaching a point where his father damaged his eye by beating him.
Eventually, his mother left his father to move back with Tyrus' grandparents. However, he and his brother felt unwelcome there because of being part black.
Living with a Foster Family
Murdoch also lived with a foster family, where he was obsessed with changing his skin color. He hoped the change would improve his current situation and allow him to reunite with his family.
Education and Sports
Tyrus attended Antelope Valley College in 1992 after graduating from Quartz Hill High School. Later, he enrolled at the University of Nebraska, pursuing a teaching degree. During his college years, Tyrus played football until a career-ending injury left him with a permanent limp.
Wrestling Career
Starting with WWE
After signing a contract with WWE, George Murdoch started his wrestling career in Deep South Wrestling as G-Rilla. He adopted a thug character, quickly making an impact in the wrestling community.
He joined the tag team Urban Assault as an enforcer. However, due to his feud with The Bag Lady during a match against The Major Brothers at the DSW Tag Team Championship, the team lost. This happened again when G-Rilla had a feud with Freakin' Deacon, Bag Lady's ally. Such fights and conflicts led to losses for Urban Assault, which resulted in him being thrown out of the group.
Tyrus in the wrestling ring
In 2007, Murdoch transitioned to Florida Championship Wrestling, where he continued his adapted character "G-Rilla." Like in Deep South Wrestling, Murdoch engaged in many feuds with some alliances. After a year, Murdoch was released from his contract with WWE.
Comeback to WWE
After a two-year break from wrestling, Murdoch signed with WWE in 2010. He returned as G-Rilla before adopting the persona of "Brodus Clay." Teaming up with various partners, Clay made an impact in FCW and NXT, showcasing his versatility and athleticism.
However, his partnership with Alberto Del Rio as bodyguard took his career to another level, giving him opportunities to appear at WrestleMania XXVII and several major events.
Transition to Tyrus
Two years after coming back to wrestling, Murdoch adopted another persona as "Funkasaurus," a fun-loving, dancing wrestler that resonated with many fans. However, his career took another turn after he transitioned to a villain character by the name of "Tyrus." This showcased a darker and more aggressive side of Murdoch.
He also showed up for a few years in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and Impact Wrestling, where he had several high-profile matches and alliances.
This also set the stage for his success in the National Wrestling Alliance, where he won the NWA World Television Championship.
Career Beyond Wrestling
While George Murdoch is best known as a wrestler, his popularity and influence extend beyond the ring. Before pursuing wrestling, he worked as the bodyguard for Snoop Dogg. Murdoch ventured into the realm of media and commentary in 2021, having a successful career as a host.
Fox News
Greg Gutfeld noticed Tyrus in 2016 through a Twitter chat where the host found Tyrus' comments funny. Greg Gutfeld then invited Tyrus to appear as a guest commentator on The Greg Gutfeld Show. Seeing Murdoch's potential, Greg offered Tyrus regular posts on the show, where he ultimately became popular as "Tyrus."
Tyrus as co-host of Gutfeld! on Fox News
This marked the start of Tyrus' successful journey as a media personality, where he earned an estimated $45,000+ a year.
Tryrus also had several guest appearances on shows like The Five and Dana Perino's The Daily Briefing. Since April 2021, Murdoch has been a regular panelist on "Gutfeld!." His dynamic personality and unique commentary made him receive love from many viewers, even earning him the moniker of Gutfeld's massive sidekick.
Streaming and Own Shows
Murdoch also ventures into streaming. He co-hosted the show Un-PC on Fox Nation for a year, showcasing his ability to tackle controversial topics with humor and insight. In June 2019, he premiered his show on Fox Nation Nuff Said.
In June 2023, Murdoch ventured further into his media career by being an interim host for Fox News Saturday Night, showing that he can adapt to different roles and skills. In 2024, Tyrus became the main host for a new series, Maintaining with Tyrus, on the streaming platform OutKick, which debuted on February 1.
Personal Life
George Murdoch is married to Ingrid Rinck, a fitness mogul who is known in the health and wellness industry. George and Ingrid together have one biological child, Georgie, who is turning ten this May 2024. Murdoch also has two stepsons, Rhett and Rock, who were Ingrid's children from previous relationships.
George Murdoch with wife Ingrid and children
You may have also noticed two other children in Tyrus' family photos. These two are from his past relationship, but little is known about them as they've kept a low profile.
Despite Murdoch's popularity, he doesn't show off his children often. Coming from a broken home and as a victim of abuse during his childhood, it is evident that Tyrus cares about his children and doesn't want the same thing to happen to them.
The popular host/wrestler stated that communication is his secret to parenting. His goal is to build a relationship where his children feel safe to tell him whatever is happening to them without fear of being yelled at or reprimanded.
His net worth as of 2023 is estimated to be over $2 million.
Sexual Assault Allegations
Despite a successful career outside the ring, Murdoch wasn't safe from scandal, like many other celebrities. In December 2019, Un-PC co-host Britt McHenry accused Tyrus of sexual harassment, alleging that he sent her several lewd text messages.
Britt McHenry charged George Murdoch with sexual harassment charges
McHenry then claimed that she lost the phone with the alleged lewd text messages. In July 2021, McHenry voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit and left the Fox network.