Although the real-life Ed Leslie went by a number of monikers throughout his career, it was as Brutus Beefcake that he found the most success. His time spent as ‘The Barber’ brought significant acclaim Beefcake’s way as fans lapped up any attempt he made at cutting the hair of his adversaries.
Now some four decades on from Beefcake making scissors popular in wrestling, they’ve taken on a whole new meaning for fans of The Acclaimed. Used as the signature taunt of the reigning AEW World Tag Team Champions, the scissoring mannerism has gotten over big time with the AEW faithful.
Brutus Beefcake discussed its success while appearing on Good Karma Wrestling, stating how happy he is that scissors have been brought back to popularity in wrestling:
“It’s a big compliment for me because at least they aren’t trying to be a barber. The scissors are just so over and so powerful that you can hardly blame them for wanting to bring them back and utilize them.”
The Acclaimed are due to celebrate Billy Gunn’s birthday on the forthcoming episode of AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, November 2. Profuse amounts of scissoring are to be expected.
Brutus Beefcake Refused To Cut This Performer’s Hair
Although he was portrayed as a barber, Brutus Beefcake wasn’t always willing to cut opponents’ hair. While speaking with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, Joey Janela revealed how the WWE Hall of Famer refused to cut The Invisible Man’s locks:
“Most of the guys I’ve worked with are pretty cool. But we brought Brutus ‘The Barber’ Beefcake to England to do one spot. I was wrestling The Invisible Man in Blackpool, England. I said to Brutus, ‘After I beat The Invisible Man, you just come in and cut his hair.’
He was sitting there drinking his Bud Light, he goes, ‘What do you think I am, a fucking a**hole? I just flew all the way here, f*cking fourteen hours, flight delays, all this and you’re gonna make me f*cking cut an Invisible Man’s hair? Make me look like sh*t? F*ck you.’ Then he sipped his Bud Light. ‘I’m sorry, man.’ Brutus ‘The Barber’ Beefcake kinda f*cking sucks.”
Brutus Beefcake last wrestled in 2015, participating in a Battle Royal during that year’s WrestleCade event.