Don Callis Don Callis ( October 13 , 1963 ) is a Canadian former professional wrestler and manager , known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation as The Jackal , and Extreme Championship Wrestling as color commentator Cyrus . Early life . Callis became a wrestler after looking for a sport to play while attending the University of Manitoba , where he earned a Degree in Political Studies . Career . He was trained by local wrestling promoter Tony Condello and debuted in 1989 . Wrestling under the name Don Casablancas , Callis formed a tag team with Rick Martel known as " The Supermodels " . He also teamed with The Psycho as " The Mercenaries of Mayhem " under the tutelage of their manager The Golden Sheik . In 1990 , Callis debuted with the West Four Wrestling Alliance , where he became a five time Heavyweight Champion . Callis began a heated feud with former partner Rick Martel in June 1994 . He also toured in Japan , South Africa and Lebanon . World Wrestling Federation . He received a tryout match with the World Wrestling Federation ( WWF ) in 1996 and was eventually hired as a manager . On September 20 , 1997 , Callis debuted in the WWF as " The Jackyl , " a member ( and eventually leader ) of a group of wrestlers known as " The Truth Commission " ( a take on the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission ) . An article in WWF Magazine claimed that he was a lower - level WWF employee during the early 1990s , and that he developed a messianic complex when he led a group of WWF superstars out of Kuwait when they were stranded there during the Gulf War . In an effort to play up the Jackyl ' s gimmick as a charismatic , power - hungry fanatic , commentator Jim Ross often referred to him as the " David Koresh of the World Wrestling Federation . " The stable was not particularly successful , with their biggest achievement being their victory over the Disciples of Apocalypse at Survivor Series 1997 . Callis returned to television in 1998 , forming a stable known as " The Parade of Human Oddities " . The group consisted of " freakish " wrestlers , including " Golga " ( a masked John Tenta AKA " Earthquake " ) , and Howard Stern Show regulars Hank the Angry Drunken Dwarf and Crackhead Bob , and had entrance music performed by the Insane Clown Posse . The stable did not last long , and Callis eventually started managing the new tag team of Faarooq and Bradshaw , Hell ' s Henchmen , until he requested and was granted a release just a few months later - following which they found a new leader in the Undertaker , became the Acolytes of his Ministry , and broke away to make their mark as the Acolyte Protection Agency . Extreme Championship Wrestling . In late 1999 , Callis debuted in ECW as " Cyrus " , a commentator who was presented as working for TNN , the TV network that was broadcasting ECW . His character represented many of the real problems between ECW and TNN at that point , as he constantly criticised the violent nature of ECW programming . Callis teamed with the anti - hardcore Steve Corino , and eventually formed a stable with Corino , Yoshihiro Tajiri and Rhino known as The Network . He engaged in a long - term feud with commentator Joel Gertner , which culminated in a match on October 1 , 2000 at the " Anarchy Rulz " event , in which Gertner was triumphant . ECW would declare bankruptcy soon after . With ECW gone and World Championship Wrestling purchased by the WWF , Callis returned to university , eventually earned a Master of Business Administration . He also briefly operated the No Holds Barred Wrestling Camp , a Winnipeg based wrestling training camp . Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . In 2003 , Callis debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling ( TNA ) as a " Management Consultant " . During this time he claimed credit for the Ultimate X match , which he said he devised to settle the dispute over who was the X Division champion once and for all . He engaged in a power struggle with then Director of Authority Erik Watts and used his power to make life difficult for Jerry Lynn , repeatedly fining and suspending him . On January 28 , 2004 , Callis succeeded in ousting Watts from TNA when he defeated him in a match for control of TNA . After this , he quietly departed the company . Retirement . Callis departed TNA on good terms later that year , having been offered a job in International trade that made use of his MBA . Callis is all but retired from professional wrestling , although he made an appearance at the ECW reunion show Hardcore Homecoming on June 10 , 2005 . Callis also wrote weekly wrestling columns for the Sun media group and co - hosted a local Winnipeg radio show called " No Holds Barred " with Joe Aiello on 92 CITI FM . On October 18 , 2016 , Callis debuted a new podcast with longtime friend Lance Storm called " Killing the Town with Storm and Cyrus " . The show is part of The Jericho Network on PodcastOne . New Japan Pro - Wrestling ( 2017 - present ) . On January 17 , 2017 , Callis announced that he had accepted a position to become the new English color commentator for New Japan Pro Wrestling ' s events on New Japan Pro Wrestling World , working alongside Kevin Kelly . Personal life . Callis has expressed an interest in participating in Canadian politics , and worked as a Media Relations Specialist for the House of Commons of Canada in the early 1990s . Callis earned an MBA in 2003 . As of 2012 , he is the President , CEO and Executive Director of the Manitoba Trade and Investment Corporation . Callis has been married to three actresses , and a porn star .