Road Dogg Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 11, 2024
Road Dogg Then
Brian Girard James, born on May 20, 1969, in Marietta, Georgia, is better known in the wrestling world by his ring name, Road Dogg.
Growing up in a family deeply rooted in wrestling, James was exposed to the sport from a young age, with his father, Bob Armstrong, being a well-known professional wrestler.
This familial connection laid the foundation for his future career in wrestling.
Before fully committing to wrestling, James briefly pursued a career in the United States Marine Corps, enlisting in 1987.
His military service interrupted his wrestling aspirations but also highlighted his dedication and discipline.
Road Dogg Wrestling Career
James’s wrestling career began early, with his debut match occurring on December 1, 1986, in NWA Southeast Championship Wrestling, where he defeated Kevin Sullivan.
After a five-year hiatus due to his military service, he returned to the ring in 1991.
Initially wrestling under various ring names, including The Dark Secret in Smoky Mountain Wrestling and Brian Armstrong in WCW, James struggled to gain significant traction.
However, his fortunes changed when he signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1994, initially as The Roadie, an associate of Jeff Jarrett.
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James’s career took a notable turn when he rebranded himself as “Road Dogg” Jesse James in 1996, embracing a more charismatic and rebellious persona.
His tag team with Billy Gunn, known as The New Age Outlaws, became a central figure in the WWF’s Attitude Era, capturing the WWF World Tag Team Championship five times and gaining significant mainstream recognition.
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After leaving WWF in 2001, James enjoyed further success in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as B.G. James, where he became a two-time NWA World Tag Team Champion.
James’s wrestling career also saw him return to WWE in various roles, including as a producer and senior vice president, underscoring his enduring influence in the wrestling world.
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Road Dogg Wrestling Competition
- NWA Southeast Championship Wrestling
- World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
- Smoky Mountain Wrestling (SMW)
- World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE)
- Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
- United States Wrestling Association (USWA)
- Catch Wrestling Association (CWA)
- World Wrestling All-Stars (WWA)
Road Dogg Now
As of September 2024, Brian Girard James, better known in the wrestling world as Road Dogg, is 55 years old and remains a significant figure in the industry.
Currently signed with WWE, he holds the position of Senior Vice President of Live Events, where he oversees and manages the logistics and operations of WWE’s live shows.
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This role is crucial in ensuring the smooth execution of events and maintaining the high standards WWE is known for.
In addition to his executive role, Road Dogg also contributes as a color commentator on WWE Main Event, bringing his extensive experience and distinctive personality to the broadcast.
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On January 23, 2023, Road Dogg made a notable appearance at WWE Raw’s 30th anniversary event, known as Raw is XXX.
Alongside his D-Generation X colleagues and WWE legend Kurt Angle, Road Dogg participated in a high-profile reunion segment.
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This memorable moment was briefly interrupted by the faction Imperium, adding an unexpected twist to the celebration.
Following this, Road Dogg resumed his commentary role on WWE Main Event starting from February 1, 2024.
During these broadcasts, he uses his birth name, Brian James, to provide insightful and entertaining analysis, drawing from his deep knowledge of the wrestling business.
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FAQs
Road Dogg’s wrestling career was impacted by substance abuse issues and personal struggles. He took time off from wrestling to address these challenges, which led to periods of inactivity and transitions to other roles within the industry.
Yes, Road Dogg is a second-generation wrestler. His father, Bob Armstrong, was a well-known professional wrestler.
Road Dogg’s finishing move was the “Pump Handle Slam,” often referred to as the “Road Dogg Drop.”
Road Dogg wrestled alongside several partners throughout his career, most notably with Billy Gunn as part of The New Age Outlaws in WWE and with Kip James as The James Gang in TNA.
In 2000, Road Dogg was a key member of D-Generation X (DX) and experienced significant success with the faction. However, he also faced challenges, including personal issues and injuries, which impacted his career.
Road Dogg’s decision to step away from active wrestling was influenced by his battles with substance abuse, coupled with the desire to focus on other roles within the wrestling industry, including his work as a producer and commentator.
Road Dogg left WWF (now WWE) in 2001, before later returning to the company in various roles over the years.