Birth name | Michael Kathleen McGuirk |
---|---|
Born |
Tulsa, Oklahoma |
March 16, 1958
Spouse(s) | B. Brian Blair (divorced) |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Mike McGuirk |
Debut | 1986 |
Michael Kathleen McGuirk (born March 16, 1955) is an American professional wrestling personality, best known as a ring announcer for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from 1986 through 1994. She is the daughter of professional wrestler Leroy McGuirk.
Mike McGuirk grew up in the wrestling business. Her father Leroy McGuirk ran wrestling promotions in the midwest up to the early to mid-1980s. Leroy never wanted his daughter to follow in his footsteps and become a wrestler. After her father had left the business, she provided the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) with wrestling rings whenever they ran shows in her area. She also did some timekeeping. She announced her first show on September 12, 1986 at the Mid-South Coliseum.
McGuirk's television debut was in April 1987 on WWF Wrestling Challenge. From her debut, she was the object of ridicule from heel commentator/manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan (though backstage they in fact got on well with each other). McGuirk also did commentary, often with Bruce Prichard (better known as "Brother Love"), and "The Duke of Dorchester" Pete Doherty. McGuirk was known for the colorful, glittery tuxedos she wore while announcing.
She performed color commentary on the Best of the WWF Volume 15, and did commentary on the WWF TV show All-American Wrestling. Her commentary as well as ring announcing was also seen/heard during episodes of Prime Time Wrestling which was co-hosted by Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon.
When not ring announcing or commentating, McGuirk's job was producing promos back stage. She explained in an interview that Vince McMahon would not let his employees just sit around back stage, he would always find something for them to do while being paid.
McGuirk left the WWF in 1994, reported to be because she refused sexual advances made upon her by Vince McMahon. McGuirk later refuted this rumor, stating that she left because of the increasing use of steroids backstage and because she did not want to move her family to Connecticut.