Why WWE Really Fired Buff Bagwell

Jim Ross was around for a lot of things throughout WWE history. As head of talent relations, he saw a lot of things and that included Buff Bagwell getting fired.

During his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross opened up about finding out that Buff didn’t have the stuff. He mentioned a partying lifestyle and then eventually they realized that he needed to be let go. Obviously, this was not a fun experience to go though, but Jim Ross remembers it well.

“Buff had a higher opinion of his work than Vince did.  I’ve become the bad guy because I’m the middle man.  I’m the guy that delivers the bad news, or the good news at times.  I don’t hold any animosity to this day on Marc Bagwell whatsoever.  I saw where he had a car wreck, and it was involving, I think drinking, maybe.  Something here the last few months.  He just wasn’t a good fit.  That partying lifestyle, we’re trying to distance ourselves a little bit if we could.  Vince just didn’t see the money in Marc that Marc saw in himself.”

“I can only deal with the hand that’s dealt me when I’m told, ‘This kid is not going to get it.  I want you to let him go.’  When we were in Atlanta, we went to a little room there.  I remember it vividly.  I didn’t enjoy doing it.  How in the hell can you be a human being and tell a human being that they’re done?  I’m not that person.  I felt for him, and I felt bad for him.  It didn’t have a lot to do with Judy (Bagwell), but that’s good dirt.  Damn, that’s really good dirt.  Judy had little to do with that.  Marc’s own personal habits, and the way he conducted himself was f*cked up.  Let the air out of his sails.  But if he had a better attitude then at that young age, at that point in time, we’re talking over 20 years ago, he would have had a shot to get playing time.  He wasn’t given that opportunity.  It seemed like partying was a little more important to him than being a professional.”

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Buff Bagwell is still making headlines, but not for the best reasons. He was arrested on a slew of misdemeanor offenses, but he later explained what happened. Hopefully, better days are ahead for Buff Bagwell, but his days in WWE were certainly limited.

What’s your take on Buff Bagwell? Sound off in the comments!

Thanks to Wrestling News for the quote