Boo: He's Looney

Norman the Lunatic & Teddy Long

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

In the late 1980's, a lunatic was on the loose in the NWA.  His name was Norman and he wrestled in the clothes he wore after escaping the psych ward.  Norman's manager, Teddy Long carried a key to keep his man in line.  The key served as a reminder that if Norman didn't do Teddy's bidding, the big man would be re-admitted to the insane asylum.

Finally of course, Norman did break free of Teddy's evil grasp.  While still under Long's tutelage, fans would bring Norman teddy bears, which set Long off too.  Even "Dr. Death" Steve Williams presented the lunatic with a bear.  As a face, Norman (real name Mike Shaw) dropped the lunatic from his moniker and just wrestled as Norman.  It was very similar to the George "The Animal" Steele face turn in the mid 80's in the WWF.  He became that character fans could get behind and feel sorry for.  Eventually, Norman got a job as a truck driver, which was a tribute to Shaw's dad.

A more lovable lunatic

In 1993, he would head to WWF, where he shaved his mangy hair and became Friar Ferguson.  It was a gimmick that literally lasted weeks, before he became Bastion Booger.  While he probably enjoyed his most success while in Stampede, he became better known after his stints in NWA and the WWF.  Sadly, Shaw died in 2010 after suffering a heart attack.  He was only 53 years old.

But let's remember the good times Shaw provide fans.  While Norman may have never held gold during his run in the NWA, he definitely won the hearts of the fans after changing his ways and feuding with Teddy Long and Kevin Sullivan.

The Many Faces of Mike Shaw

Mike Shaw aka Bastion Booger (from the Ultimate Wrestling Gallery)

The world of professional wrestling has lost another superstar.  Last night Mike Shaw, who wrestled in the WWF as Bastion Booger passed away.  He was 54 years old.  The reports I've read online say Shaw had a heart attack Sunday night.

While he wrestled last as Bastion Booger, a really gross and disgusting character, Shaw had several other "faces" during his career.  In fact, some of you might remember his short lived gimmick as Friar Ferguson.  A heelish monk, who of course upset the Catholic Church.  According to those in the know, that's what lead to the demise of that character and the creation of Booger.  

Even before his days in the WWF, Shaw wrestled as Norman the Lunatic for WCW.  First as a heel, Norman was managed by Teddy Long.  He came to the ring dressed in hospital clothes with long, unruly hair and a beard.  He really did look as though he'd just escaped the mental ward.  Long would carry a key with him, I guess implying that he'd be locked back up in that facility if he misbehaved and didn't do Long's devious work.  I think that's how the gimmick went.  

Of course, the overbearing Long created a soft spot in the hearts of fans, who began to cheer for Norman.  Much like they did for George 'the Animal' Steele years before.  Norman turned face and got a job as a truck driver.  Trucker Norman was a tribute to his late father.  

And even before all those crazy gimmicks, Shaw wrestled in the Stampede area as Makhan Sighn.  He was the champion there at one point and feuded with the soon to be rising star, Owen Hart.  

Shaw never stayed in one place very long.  As Booger, he was only in the WWF for about a year, but will may be best remembered for that gimmick.  A few years back he returned to WWE television for the Raw homecoming show.  The E also did a feature on him on their website a while back.  

Going through my own memory bank, I don't think I ever saw Shaw wrestle live.  Although I've got plenty of memories of him as Norm and Bastion toward the end of his career.  I'll have to check out his work in Stampede on line now.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Shaw.