Dylan Postl, better known to wrestling fans as Hornswoggle, has shared candid memories about his rocky start in WWE, revealing how close he came to losing his dream job before it truly began. The former WWE star recalls thinking he blew his initial interview and then nearly getting fired on his very first day with the company, moments that would have ended his professional wrestling journey before it even had a chance to flourish[5].
A Nerve-Wracking Interview That Almost Cost Him Everything
Hornswoggle’s path to WWE was far from smooth. When he first interviewed for the company back in 2006, he immediately felt he had failed. Known then simply as Dylan Postl, the young wrestler was under immense pressure to impress WWE management and prove he belonged among wrestling’s brightest stars.
According to sources close to the locker room at the time, the company was specifically looking for a performer who could play the role of Finlay’s leprechaun, a unique character requiring both charisma and the ability to embody a quirky persona. During the interview, Postl admits, he was asked to perform an Irish accent—a challenge for him since he purposely avoided accents, fearing it would sound inauthentic[2].
“I don’t do high accents. I just can’t do them, and they make me cringe,” Hornswoggle confessed in a discussion with Stephanie McMahon. The uncomfortable moment left him doubting his chances of getting signed. Being unable to perform a requested accent could have been a deal breaker in the eyes of WWE executives.
A Chaotic and Nearly Failed Debut
Despite his doubts, Hornswoggle was brought onto WWE’s developmental system and was prepped for a debut that would forever cement his quirky and beloved character: a mischievous little leprechaun who lived under the ring.
But even after signing, things didn’t go smoothly. According to Hornswoggle’s own account in various interviews, his first day at WWE was a disaster. During the rehearsal for his debut, a simple technical miscommunication nearly cost him his spot. The plan was for him to emerge from under the ring only after a green light appeared, signaling the timing was right.
However, on his very first rehearsal, the light never came on, and Finlay—his WWE mentor and tag team partner—didn’t open the ring apron. Postl, waiting under the ring for his cue, saw nothing happen and thought he had blown it.
He later recalled the moment to hosts on “Rewind Recap Relive”:
“I said to Vince, ‘There was no light, sir.’ And Vince was like, ‘Where’s Finlay? Is he out there yet?’ I said, ‘No.’ And he goes, ‘This is a test.’ I remember thinking, ‘Goddamnit… this is it — done.’ First day in, last day in.” [3][4]
Only after two more rehearsals, with the lighting and timing corrected, did everything fall into place. That chaotic start made Hornswoggle fear his WWE career was already over after less than a day.
A Father-Son Bond That Changed Everything
Despite the shaky beginning, Hornswoggle credits his strong and supportive relationship with Finlay as a pivotal factor in not just surviving but thriving in WWE. Finlay treated Postl like a son, offering guidance in and out of the ring and protecting him from harsh hazing sometimes experienced by newcomers.
According to an insider familiar with Rocky Mountain Wrestling Scene backstage, Finlay’s mentorship created a protective aura around Hornswoggle. “Nobody wanted to cross Finlay or cause issues with him by messing with the little guy,” the source explained. “It gave Dylan a real advantage in the locker room culture, which can be rough on rookies.”[4]
This familial bond helped Hornswoggle build confidence and eventually become one of WWE’s most memorable unique characters, involved in storylines with legends like The Undertaker and John Cena.
From Near-Disaster to WWE Nostalgia Star
Hornswoggle’s journey embodies the ups and downs of life in professional wrestling. What seemed to be a career-ending mistake turned into over a decade of memorable moments. Today, Dylan Postl is celebrated not only for his time in WWE but also for his post-wrestling ventures, including running his own promotion and connecting with fans through nostalgia shows[1].
In a recent conversation, Postl reflected, “All I wanted was to be a WWE superstar, and it felt like the universe was testing me at every turn. But looking back now, those first scary moments taught me resilience and determination.”
His story is a testament to perseverance, proving that even the most stressful beginnings can lead to legendary careers. For wrestling fans, Hornswoggle’s rise from a nearly fired rookie to a beloved WWE icon remains inspiring.