Big Bossman Passes Away

[CJ]

As reported by the Wrestling Observer 09/22/04:

"Ray "Big Bossman" Traylor passed away suddenly at his home tonight. Traylor, who was 42, got his start as Jim Cornette's bodyguard Big Bubba Rogers in 1986 after he left his job as a prison guard in Marietta, GA.

After leaving Crockett promotions over pay, his real life job became is gimmick as the Big Bossman, the evil prison guard, who had a big run with Hulk Hogan.

He was also a major star with All Japan Pro Wrestling as Big Bubba in the 90s, before returning to the WWF in recent years.

At this point his death is a mystery. He had not been complaining of feeling bad, other than a bad knee. His wife found him in a room tonight and he wasn't breathing. Paramedica were unable to revive him."

For some of us this comes a pretty big shock as a few companies were just in negotiations with Ray a few months back to bring him to No Cal. It is too bad the scheduling never worked out. He will be dearly missed. It just goes to show that life is too short and you never know what is going to happen the next day.

[Professor Pimpstatus]

wow that is a shame.

The intercontinental title matchs between him and Mr. Perfect (and the rest of the Hennan Family) were beyond classics.

[michaelporter]

DAMN...this breaks my heart! This was a wonderful and caring man.
I recall the last time I saw and spoke with Ray Traylor. It was in November at Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA.. That night, I informed him that my Mother had passed away just two months prior. This big man just cried when I told him. He had met Mom on a couple of ocassions, and became rather fond of her, always asking "How's Momma?" They were quite a sight! Boss Man standing next to this tiny, 5' 2" 105 lb "bundle of piss and vinegar" as Ray called her.
My prayers and Best Wishes go out to the family, friends, and fans of Ray Traylor, The Big Boss Man.

Michael Porter

[michaelporter]

By the way...that was November of 1999 when I last saw Boss Man.

Michael Porter

[Rob Wilds]

We are all saddened by the loss of Boss Man, weather it be on a personal, professional or "Mark" basis. Boss Man was a true entertainer and from my experience a genuinely nice guy. He has his place in wrestling Heaven.

[studio42]

This is not good. We're losing too many wrestlers these days. Yes, we all have to go at some point, but we're losing some big people way before their time too.

Good article, showing the vast extremes that can occur between their personna and their personal reality.

Too many are falling too quickly. At least they have attained immortality through their performances and outside the ring endeavors.

[CJ]

Actually this year has been pretty mild compared to the last two years. I thought last year was never going to end with as many people who passed in and around this business. Three more months to go let's just hope there aren't too many more by New Years.


"So Much for the Boys Club"