WWE Hall Of Famer Koko B. Ware Recalls Parrot Gimmick Leading To Airport Quarantine

Koko B. Ware is a cherished icon in the world of professional wrestling, known for his presence in the territories and WWE. A former AWA Southern Tag Team Champion, Ware is famously associated with his pet parrot, Frankie. The origin of this unique partnership traces back to Ware’s creative pitch to former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.

Ware shared the backstory during an episode of “Stories With Briscoe and Bradshaw.”

I had the birds on my tights. I was ‘The Birdman’ in Louisiana.

Ware recounted. Initially, the nickname stemmed from the parrot designs on his wrestling gear, but the idea evolved into something much more tangible. Determined to stand out, Ware took a photo of a parrot he found in a pet store and presented it during his first meeting with McMahon. The WWE impresario was immediately intrigued.

He said ‘Wow, you know Koko if you come up here and work for us, you’re gonna have to go all over the world with this parrot.’

Ware remembered. Despite the challenges of travelling with a live bird, Ware believed Frankie would help him make a significant impact in WWE.

All the kids would love me because I have something. The little ‘Birdman’ with Frankie sitting at ringside.

McMahon agreed, envisioning Ware fitting perfectly among other animal-themed characters like Jake “The Snake” Roberts and The Junkyard Dog.

However, life on the road with Frankie wasn’t always smooth sailing. Ware recounted an incident in the Bahamas where U.S. customs officials suspected he had purchased Frankie and insisted on a quarantine period. The situation grew tense until Ware, with assistance from the Bahamian Prime Minister, managed to secure Frankie’s return home.

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H/t to ITRWrestling.com