George "Tyrus" Murdoch built a multi-million-dollar fortune by pivoting from professional wrestling into cable news commentary, streaming media, and bestselling authorship. Tyrus net worth is estimated at roughly $2.5 million, accumulated across decades in the sports entertainment and broadcasting industries.
Long before his tenure on late-night television, Murdoch worked as a bodyguard for Snoop Dogg and broke into WWE's developmental system. His financial trajectory shifted when he transitioned from the squared circle to political talk shows, book deals, and digital commentary platforms.
Early Life and the Road to Wrestling
Born in Boston in 1973, Murdoch faced a difficult upbringing before attending Quartz Hill High School and playing college football at Antelope Valley College and the University of Nebraska at Kearney. When a leg injury derailed his professional football aspirations, he worked alternative physical jobs, including operating as a bouncer and protecting high-profile music artists like Snoop Dogg.
That physical presence opened doors to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2006. Working through developmental territories like Deep South Wrestling under names like G-Rilla, Murdoch established the foundation for his athletic earnings.
WWE Breakthrough and the Funkasaurus Era
In 2011, Murdoch re-emerged on WWE television under the ring name Brodus Clay. His career reached a commercial peak in 2012 when he debuted The Funkasaurus character—a retro-dancing, crowd-pleasing persona accompanied by backup dancers known as the Funkadactyls.
- Secured regular television time on Monday Night Raw and SmackDown.
- Won the Slammy Award for Best Dancer of the Year in 2012.
- Toured globally, securing lucrative merchandise royalties and base wrestling contracts standard for mid-to-upper card WWE talent during that era.
After parting ways with WWE in 2014, he transitioned to Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling under the moniker Tyrus, functioning as a heavy-hitting enforcer and singles competitor. Years later, he joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), capturing the prestigious NWA World's Heavyweight Championship in 2022 before retiring from in-ring competition in August 2023.
Transition to Media and Fox News Commentary
The most lucrative chapter of Murdoch's career materialized outside the ring. After interacting with television personality Greg Gutfeld on social media, Tyrus joined Fox News as a regular contributor.
His outspoken commentary, regular appearances on Gutfeld!, and streaming content on Fox Nation broadened his commercial appeal. Cable news contracts for high-visibility contributors typically range well into the six figures annually, providing a steady baseline of wealth independent of athletic bumps and injuries. In 2024, he expanded his digital footprint by launching the talk show Maintaining with Tyrus on the OutKick platform.
Publishing and Real Estate Assets
Beyond television and broadcasting, Murdoch expanded his revenue streams into the publishing market. His autobiographical book Just Tyrus: A Memoir became a New York Times bestseller upon release in 2022, followed by subsequent books like Nuff Said and What It Is, America. Bestselling book advances and ongoing royalties added substantial sums to his net worth.
In real estate, Murdoch and his wife, fitness entrepreneur Ingrid Rinck, purchased a sizable property in Highlands, New Jersey, for $630,000. Appreciating property values have pushed that real estate holding past the $2 million valuation mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Tyrus make annually?
While exact station salaries are private, network contributors and co-hosts on high-rated cable programs like Gutfeld! command lucrative annual retainers. Combined with digital platform revenues from OutKick and book royalties, his yearly income is substantial.
When did Tyrus retire from wrestling?
Tyrus officially retired from professional wrestling in August 2023 following an NWA World's Heavyweight Championship title defense match against EC3 under a retirement stipulation.
Is Tyrus still on Fox News?
Yes, he remains a prominent contributor across various Fox News and Fox Nation programs, alongside hosting duties on digital networks.
What was Tyrus's real name in WWE?
Before performing as Tyrus, he competed in WWE developmental circuits as G-Rilla and later debuted on television as Brodus Clay.
