World Wrestling Federation (1991–1993)
In the summer of 1991, Keirn debuted in the WWF as Skinner, an alligator hunter from the Florida Everglades.[14] He was portrayed as a generally nasty individual, always chewing on tobacco and sometimes spitting it on his opponent. He carried an alligator claw to the ring with him, which he would often use as a weapon against his opponents. He competed in the 1991 King of the Ring tournament, defeating Virgil in the first round but losing to Bret Hart in the second round.[15] While still being billed as undefeated, he challenged Hart for the WWF Intercontinental Championship at This Tuesday in Texas on December 3, 1991 but lost by submission.[16] At WrestleMania VIII, Skinner was defeated in one minute and eleven seconds by Owen Hart.[17]
While in the WWF, Keirn also portrayed Doink the Clown on occasion. At WrestleMania IX, Keirn helped the original Doink defeat Crush by attacking Crush dressed as Doink during the match.[3]
[edit] World Championship Wrestling (1994)
Along with Bobby Eaton, Keirn wrestled in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1994 in a tag team known as “Bad Attitude”.[15] Despite the tag team success both Keirn and Eaton enjoyed in the past (with The Fabulous Ones and the Midnight Express respectively), the team made little impact, losing dark matches to Brian and Brad Armstrong at Bash at the Beach 1994 and Fall Brawl 1994.[18][19] While in WCW, Keirn was also involved in an angle in which masked men attacked Hulk Hogan. Several times in October 1994, Keirn wore a black mask to attack Hogan during and after Hogan’s matches.[20][21]
[edit] Retirement and FCW
Since the late 1980s, Keirn has run a school to train wrestlers. Originally located in Tampa, Florida, Keirn’s “Professional Wrestling School of Hard Knocks” is now located in Brandon, Florida.[22] Keirn helped train many wrestlers, including Mike Awesome, Dennis Knight, Joe “Destiny” Clapp, Diamond Dallas Page, Dustin Rhodes and Tracy Smothers.[22]
The school has since been incorporated into the WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). Keirn makes regular appearances on the FCW television show where he is referred to as the President of FCW.
