Bam Bam Bigelow Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / August 25, 2024
Bam Bam Bigelow Then
Bam Bam Bigelow, born on September 1, 1961, in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, had a diverse and challenging early life before making his mark in professional wrestling.
Attending Neptune High School in Neptune Township, New Jersey, Bigelow excelled in sports, earning varsity letters in both football and wrestling.
His wrestling career showed promise as he placed third in the 1979 New Jersey state wrestling tournament during his sophomore year.
However, a cyst in his lower back prevented him from competing in his senior season, affecting his athletic career.
After leaving high school, Bigelow’s life took an unconventional turn. He worked various jobs, including as a bodyguard, bouncer, and bounty hunter.
His stint as a bounty hunter, particularly in Mexico, was marked by significant danger.
Bigelow recounted a harrowing experience where he was shot in the back by a fugitive.
This incident led to his imprisonment for six months in Mexico City, highlighting the high-risk nature of his work and adding a layer of resilience to his character.
Despite these challenging experiences, Bigelow’s journey eventually led him to the world of professional wrestling, where he would become a renowned figure known for his athleticism and larger-than-life persona.
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Bam Bam Bigelow Wrestling Career
Bam Bam Bigelow, born Scott Bigelow, had a storied wrestling career marked by several notable periods across different promotions.
After his release from prison in Mexico, he turned to professional wrestling, beginning his training at Larry Sharpe’s Monster Factory in New Jersey and making his debut in 1985.
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Under the ring name “Bam Bam Bigelow,” he quickly made a name for himself in promotions like the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) and World Class Championship Wrestling (WCW), establishing a reputation as a formidable “monster” wrestler.
Bigelow’s career took him to Japan with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he had high-profile matches against top Japanese wrestlers and formed a successful tag team with Big Van Vader.
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He also had stints in Jim Crockett Promotions, which later became World Championship Wrestling (WCW), before returning to Japan and working with the Universal Wrestling Association (UWA) in Mexico.
In the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), Bigelow gained significant attention with his participation in high-profile storylines and matches, including a major feud with Lawrence Taylor leading up to WrestleMania XI.
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Despite his success, he left WWF in late 1995, citing dissatisfaction with creative directions.
He continued to work on the independent circuit and in various promotions, including the NWA Northeast and Universal Superstars of America.
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Bigelow’s wrestling style, marked by his agility and distinctive tattooed head, made him a memorable figure in professional wrestling.
His career was characterized by both high-profile successes and controversies, including his final WWF appearance at Survivor Series 1995.
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Bam Bam Bigelow Wrestling Competition
- Continental Wrestling Association (CWA)
- AWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (July 28, 1986)
- World Class Championship Wrestling (WCWA)
- WCWA Television Championship
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)
- IWGP Tag Team Championship (March 1992, with Big Van Vader)
- Various tours from January 1987 to October 1992
- World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
- King of the Ring (June 13, 1993, runner-up)
- WWF World Tag Team Championship Tournament (January 22, 1995, finalist with Tatanka)
- Jim Crockett Promotions / World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
- Various stints from September 1988 to August 1990
- Feuded with The Four Horsemen and other notable wrestlers
- Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF)
- UWF SportsChannel Television Championship Tournament (June 1991, final appearance)
- Universal Wrestling Association (UWA)
- Various six-man tag team matches (February – May 1992)
- NWA Northeast
- NWA Northeast Heavyweight Championship (March 1996 – October 1998)
- Universal Superstars of America
- Universal Superstars of America Heavyweight Championship (May 1996)
- Wrestle Association R (WAR)
WAR World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (August 1996 – December 1996)
Bam Bam Bigelow Wife and Children
Bam Bam Bigelow, the renowned professional wrestler, married Asbury Park native Dana Fisher in 1987.
Their marriage produced three children, marking a significant chapter in Bigelow’s personal life. However, their relationship faced considerable strain over the years. By 2000, the couple had divorced, ending their 13-year marriage.
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The aftermath of the divorce was marked by legal complications. Fisher filed a lawsuit against Bigelow, alleging non-payment of child support.
This legal battle underscored the challenges that can arise in high-profile separations, particularly when financial obligations and child support are involved.
The dispute highlighted the difficulties that often accompany the dissolution of a marriage, especially in cases where public figures are involved and financial responsibilities are contested.
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Bam Bam Bigelow Now
Bam Bam Bigelow’s death was a profound loss to the professional wrestling world.
On January 19, 2007, his girlfriend discovered him unresponsive at his home in Hudson, Florida, at around 10 a.m. EST. He was 45 years old.
The subsequent autopsy revealed that Bigelow’s death resulted from an overdose of multiple substances.
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Toxicology reports identified high levels of cocaine and benzodiazepines in his system, pointing to a combination of drugs that contributed to his untimely passing.
Bigelow’s death was a somber reminder of the struggles faced by many in the wrestling industry, where the pressures of fame and the demands of the profession can sometimes lead to personal and health issues.
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His passing brought to light the need for greater support systems for athletes dealing with the intense physical and mental challenges of their careers.
Bam Bam Bigelow’s legacy remains a poignant chapter in the history of professional wrestling, remembered both for his remarkable in-ring performances and the tragic circumstances surrounding his death.
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FAQs
Bam Bam Bigelow, a renowned professional wrestler, died on January 19, 2007, at the age of 45. He was found unresponsive at his home in Hudson, Florida.
The autopsy revealed that his death was due to an overdose of multiple drugs, including toxic levels of cocaine and benzodiazepines.
Bam Bam Bigelow is famous for his distinctive look and impressive wrestling career.
Known for his tattooed head and powerful in-ring style, he gained prominence in major wrestling promotions like WWE, WCW, and ECW.
His athleticism and charisma made him a standout performer in the wrestling world.
Yes, Bam Bam Bigelow is remembered for his heroism beyond the wrestling ring. In 1995, he risked his own safety by rescuing children from a burning building in New Jersey.
His brave act of saving lives demonstrated his character and earned him respect and admiration outside of his wrestling career.
Bam Bam Bigelow retired from professional wrestling in 2001. Despite his retirement, he continued to make sporadic appearances in the wrestling world before his passing in 2007.