On this date in WWF history: Pro wrestling loses 'The Big Boss Man'

by Jesse Holland on Sep 22, 2011 9:00 AM EDT in History

On September 22, 2004, veteran pro wrestler and former corrections officer Ray Traylor passed away in his home as the result of a heart attack at the age of 41.

Traylor, billed as "The Big Boss Man" in his 1988 debut with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), had memorable feuds with Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage and drew considerable heel heat from the audience for his post-fight theatrics, which consisted of handcuffing jobbers to the ropes and beating them with his night stick.

He would later sign with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and worked with everyone from Rick Rude to Big Van Vader to Sting. He left WCW in 1998 to finish his career in the WWE but unfortunately no longer held a prominent role within the company prior to his release in 2003.

Highlights of The Big Boss Man's career, including his improbable face turn in 1990 (Ted Dibiase could turn anyone face, that's how good he was), after the jump.

How about it Cagesiders, best Ray Traylor memory?

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Comments

Dibiase was Money (see what I did there?)

Seriously, he had all the goods. It’s too bad that Teddy Jr. can’t hold a candle to his pops on the microphone and is just so damn boring. I don’t know what he needs to reboot his career, but coming from the bloodlines he does, he shouldn’t be such a snoozefest week in and week out.

by tkatt00 on Sep 22, 2011 9:10 AM EDT reply actions

agreed with teddy junior

although he’s still very young. But, bloodlines don’t guarantee a damn thing. Just look at Stasiak, Putski, Snuka and most unfortunately Hennig(also very young), to name a few.

by thejasten on Sep 22, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Ha, look no further than the Flairs.

by Rawuncutnxrated on Sep 22, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Was teh Nailz beating real?

I remember him getting beaten up real bad and some gory pictures showing how bad it was. Was that beating real? It sure fooled me at the time.

by cyke on Sep 22, 2011 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

still have nightmares from this.

That’s how you get over a monster! Jesus Christ that was brutal.

by thejasten on Sep 22, 2011 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

I remember that vividly.

Wow.

by TrailerParkTrash on Sep 22, 2011 7:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

How can you mention Big Boss Man AND NOT bring up the moment when he was tied to the “Cross” by the Undertaker and hung over the ring on Raw? The religious freaks when ape feces over that!

by Michael_Necci on Sep 22, 2011 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

I think you're confusing him with Stone Cold

Taker did however hang via noose the Bossman at WM15…

Did he actually debut for the WWE in ‘85?? Wasn’t it around like 1988? Not to nitpick. RIP Bossman!

by thejasten on Sep 22, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

You're 100% correct. My bad. They HUNG Boss Man, Crucifed Austin. Thank You, my fault.

by Michael_Necci on Sep 22, 2011 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions

That was the moment I became a wrestling fan

I was 11 and genuinely thought they just killed someone. Became hooked after that.

by Holls Hoyce on Sep 22, 2011 10:36 AM EDT up reply actions

He started out as Big Bubba Rogers, Jim Cornette’s bodyguard, in JCP. He was also “War Machine” in the second War Games match.

by Finian1 on Sep 22, 2011 10:24 AM EDT reply actions

Thats what I thought!

Also wasn’t he around 400 pounds during this time?? He lost a considerable amount of weight between leaving the ’E in ’93 and his return in ’97.

by thejasten on Sep 22, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Not sure if he was 400 pounds, but he was definitely huger earlier in his career.

Bubba was put over as extremely dangerous when he first appeared. I remember a TBS show where he attacked Ricky Morton and knocked him out. Then he went to the top rope for a splash on the defenseless Morton. Suddenly, Dusty Rhodes ran to the ring! But instead of going after Bubba or pulling Morton out of range, he just covered Morton with his own body and took the splash himself. Definitely one of my favorite ridiculous moments.

by Finian1 on Sep 22, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Also, one year ago today Jorge Gonzalez passed as well.

by Rawuncutnxrated on Sep 22, 2011 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

Watching that video made me sad. There was very little done during that segment and it still got a huge reaction because it was developed and produced amazingly. WWE really needs to go back and watch stuff like this as part of the creative process.

by davidhamilton83 on Sep 22, 2011 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

Miss him still

He may have not won titles but he sure was over with the crowd when he was in WWF like some that haven’t won titles i.e. Jake The Snake, Co Co and others. I still watch his stuff from time to time. I think what really impressed me was at the time it happened was when he side slammed Akeem, man that that was a big guy. Hope he’s in a better place then this shithole.

by congestedthoughts on Sep 22, 2011 12:34 PM EDT reply actions

loved the Bossman

how can anyone forget when Bossman cooked up Al Snow’s little dog Pepper and then Snow ate the food not knowing it was Pepper lol. Or the time he showed up at Big Show’s dad’s funeral and took Shows dead dad’s casket on a joy ride. Two of the funniest/ most disturbing moments I’ve ever seen.

Coach Raye crazy man. Says Yahoo in our training camp,We Didn’t know we had Wifi,cOach Sing says he likes UpGut.com. Bish! - Anthony Dixon

by 49erLou on Sep 22, 2011 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Oh man… I can just picture Vince all pumped up and excited pitching the idea for all of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyJ3T5dwOOo

by mariobatalivsmarkhenry on Sep 22, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

haha yes thanks for that

I forgot all about some of those other things leading up to the casket moment. Show getting gassed and then beat up by Bossman and Albert in gas masks lol, man I miss the attitude era

Coach Raye crazy man. Says Yahoo in our training camp,We Didn’t know we had Wifi,cOach Sing says he likes UpGut.com. Bish! - Anthony Dixon

by 49erLou on Sep 22, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Well said, those 2 moments will forever be some of the most memorable in wrestling history. Bossman was very athletic guy and I really dug his feud with Vader I thought they brought out the best of each other and boy where their matches stiff.

"@bigfootsilva, I want to tell you a joke so funny it will make your head grow. It goes like this..Oh wait, I see you have already heard it." -Chael Sonnen

by Raker on Sep 23, 2011 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions