D’Lo Brown’s signature headshake is one of the most enduring and recognizable mannerisms of the WWE’s Attitude Era. In a new interview on “The Velvet Ropes with SoCal Val,” the TNA producer revealed the complete origin story of the taunt, from its inspiration in a classic 90s comedy to the specific moment it debuted on Monday Night Raw, and the crucial reaction of Vince McMahon.
Host SoCal Val asked D’Lo about the headshake, calling it “one of the most iconic mannerisms in wrestling history”.
“How’d it become so legendary? I have no clue,” Brown admitted. “But I’m thankful it just… it just clicked and resonate with the people”.
He then credited its creation to the 1995 film Friday. “As far as the creation of it, there is a great movie that I love very much called Friday,” D’Lo explained. “And there’s a scene where Deebo comes up… and he uppercuts him, and he gets knocked down, and Chris Tucker flies over top of him, goes, ‘You just got knocked [the f**k] out!’ and he’s shaking his head, telling you he got knocked out”.
The idea to use it in a wrestling context came by chance. “So one night, Rocky [Maivia] and I were at a hotel room. I forget where we were… Friday was playing,” he recalled. “I saw it. Didn’t think too much of it”.
The very next night, inspiration struck during a live broadcast. “The next night, on Raw, Rocky is wrestling Ken Shamrock, and Ken Shamrock gets closed over top… over top rope. And I know we’re going to commercial break, because I can hear Jim Ross over my shoulder, and he’s pitching to the break,” Brown said.
“And I see the camera go up on Ken Shamrock. And I go, ‘Yes, I know the camera’s gonna be on him,’ and I just slid up to him, one ‘You just got knocked out!'” D’Lo recounted. “And that was the first time I did the head shake, and I just did it. And it was, I didn’t realize I did it. And there it was”.
The mannerism was an instant hit with one key audience member: the WWE Chairman. “Vince McMahon saw it. He took notice of it, told me to keep doing it,” D’Lo said. “Because if it peaked his curiosity, then it peaked a lot of people’s curiosity”.
That one moment, combined with McMahon’s approval, became the foundation for the rest of his character. “And right after that, I started with the… strut to the ring and walking to the music and and turning the volume up,” he said.
D’Lo reflected on the importance of finding something that resonates with the audience. “Once you find, once you’re lucky enough to find something in wrestling that connects with the fans, you got to run with it because your window is this big or it’ll be forgotten,” he shared. “So I got lucky with timing, and… it just it worked out”.
The headshake’s legacy continues to this day, something Brown does not take for granted. “It’s crazy. Just the other day, I’m walking in a supermarket, and I get ‘D’Lo!’ and someone’s shaking their head at me,” he said. “And it’s… 30 years later, I’m in my civilian life in a supermarket, and someone’s still shaking her head. So I consider myself lucky and blessed”.
This interview is exclusive to WrestlingNews.co. If you use these quotes, please include a link back to this page.
