Professional Wrestler Scott Bam Bam Bigelow Dies at 45
Former professional wrestler Scott Bam Bam Bigelow has passed away from an unknown cause at age 45. Bigelow, a native of Asbury Park, New Jersey, retired from professional wrestling officially in 2004. Bigelow was nicknamed "The Beast From The East" and once fought professional football player Lawrence Taylor at Wrestlemania XI where he lost to Taylor. Bigelow once was known as Crusher Yurkov character in the ring.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Former professional wrestler Scott Bam Bam Bigelow has passed away from an unknown cause at age 45. Bigelow, a native of Asbury Park, New Jersey, retired from professional wrestling officially in 2004. Bigelow was nicknamed "The Beast From The East" and once fought professional football player Lawrence Taylor at Wrestlemania XI where he lost to Taylor. Bigelow once was known as Crusher Yurkov charachter in the ring.
Career
Bigelow was trained as a wrestler at Larry Sharpe's "Monster Factory" in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. He debuted in Memphis in 1985, and was named Crusher Yurkov by Fritz Von Erich so he could play the character of a Russian heel. Upon leaving Memphis, Bigelow adopted the name Bam Bam Bigelow. Throughout his career it has been said that the most striking aspect of Bigelow was that for a man of his girth he possessed both the speed & agility of someone half his size, almost disguising his power as a fighter.
World Wrestling Federation
In late 1987 he was hired by the World Wrestling Federation, and wrestled there for a year before leaving to have knee surgery. He then went to Jim Crockett Promotions briefly to challenge Barry Windham for the NWA United States Championship, and then to Japan to work for Antonio Inoki in New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he formed a tag team with Big Van Vader, and won the IWGP Tag Team Championships. In 1992 he left NJPW and wrestled for several other Japanese promotions, such as WAR.
In late 1992 Bigelow returned to the WWF and took on Luna Vachon as his manager a few months later. He feuded with Tatanka and Doink the Clown. In mid-1994, he joined Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation and engaged in a highly-publicised feud with American football player Lawrence Taylor. Bigelow was defeated by Taylor at WrestleMania XI in a match where Bigelow was paid $250,000 and Taylor $1,000,000. Shortly after, Bigelow quit Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation, turned babyface, and teamed with Diesel.
Extreme Championship Wrestling
Bigelow left the WWF in 1995 and made a few appearances in Extreme Championship Wrestling in early 1996, feuding with Taz. On November 17, 1996 Bigelow competed in "U-Japan" Mixed Martial Arts event against Kimo Leopoldo. Bigelow was dominated throughout the match being mounted within the first 10 seconds. Bigelow lost due to rear naked choke in the first round.
He returned to ECW, in 1997, where he eventually joined the reformed The Triple Threat with Chris Candido and leader, Shane Douglas. He was a dominant force in ECW, carrying out feats of strength such as hurling Spike Dudley out of the ring and into the audience and slamming Taz through the ring. He held the ECW Television Championship and the ECW World Heavyweight Championship during his stay there.
World Championship Wrestling
On November 16, 1998 Bigelow debuted in World Championship Wrestling. He initially feuded with WCW World Heavyweight Champion Goldberg before competing in the WCW Hardcore Division along with fellow ECW alumni Raven and Hardcore Hak. He formed a stable with Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Kanyon known as The Jersey Triad in May 1999. After the Triad disbanded, Bigelow began feuding with Mike Awesome, who defeated him in an Ambulance Match at StarrCade 2000.
Retirement
Bigelow remained with WCW until the company was purchased by the WWF in 2001, then waited until his Time Warner contract expired in June 2002. Bigelow announced his retirement in November 2002 but returned to the ring, making several appearances for USA Pro Wrestling, before finally retiring on November 19, 2004.
Death
On the morning of January 19, 2007, Bigelow was found dead in his home by his girlfriend at around 10 AM in Hudson, Florida. World Wrestling Entertainment has released the following statement: “ The sports-entertainment world was saddened with news of the passing of Bam Bam Bigelow. WWE.com has been in contact with several of the men who worked with Bigelow over the years, and this is what they had to say about the man known as "The Beast from the East." ”
Following WWE's statement, many pro wrestlers gave comments about Bigelow and how great he was throughout his career. Reports declare that an autopsy will be performed on Bigelow to identify the cause of death. He was 45.
This story was released on 2007-01-20. Please make sure to visit the official company or organization web site to learn more about the original release date. See our disclaimer for additional information.