Buff Bagwell: The Biggest Takeaways from Dark Side of the Ring Spotlight on WCW Alum

Buff Loves His Family

Right from the start, we get a sense of Buff's love for his family, which is paid for in kind. The episode opens with Bagwell in his mother's office that is filled with pictures and magazine covers of his wrestling career. Bagwell makes clear that his success comes down to the late Judy Bagwell and her drive. 

Bagwell adds that from a young age, his family saw big things in him. It is mentioned that there was wrestling on TV growing up by there was never an inkling of getting into the business. 

Buff's Father's Parenting

Buff isn't the only notable Bagwell as his father Steve was a famous drag racer and self-made millionaire. Steve was the more calmer of the Bagwell parents but really lost it if he lost his cool. Former WCW and TNA referee, Mark “Slick” Johnson recalls a time when Steve lost a bet and fired a machine gun on a bunch of geese in anger. Steve confirms the story is true. 

Another example of Steve's parenting saw him hand out bags of cocaine to his son and his friends and would tell them "Have fun tonight but stay out of trouble." The rationale was that if his son was going to get drugs, he'd rather he get them from a trusted source. 

Buff and the NWO

Buff says he didn't need to be asked twice about joining the NWO. He said his time in the faction changed his career and he was thrilled to be in the ring with such talent. 

Buff on Monday Night Raw

After WCW's collapse, Bagwell was signed to WWE in 2001 but after a critically panned match on Raw against Booker T, he was let go shortly after. Buff says he didn't think the match was bad, but it wasn't a barn-burner five-star classic either. Addressing being fired within days of the match. He said: 

"I had a horrible match? So What? I am Buff Bagwell….why would you get fired over a bad match?”

Losing His Mom & Getting Clean

In November 2021, Judy Bagwell passed away after a battle with Alzheimer's. This is the most difficult loss in Buff's live and Steve breaks down talking about his wife. Steve recalls her final moments in which Judy fell into a state where she could not wake up and Steve spent over an hour trying to get her to wake. Buff says everyone says their mom is the best but he knows his was the best. 

Judy's death is seen as a wake-up call to Buff, who's issues with substances is addressed multiple times in the episode. Buff talks about working to get sober after his niece made clear that he had to or the family would leave him. Buff shares his gratitude to 'Diamond' Dallas Page for all his work. 

Feeling the Love

Buff's ex-wives, Judy (not his mom) and Tonya say they still love and support him and that he has a great support network. Eric Bischoff adds that Buff is a lovable guy and that’s why his ex-wives still love him, and that’s he loves him. Steve says he's most proud of Buff for working on staying sober and  Tonya concludes by saying she's rooting for him. 

Special thanks to 411 Mania for assistance with this report.