On a recent edition of his “The ARN Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson discussed the career of Buff Bagwell in WCW, what kept him back from becoming a main eventer, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On what kept Buff Bagwell from being a main eventer: “He was always figured in, but those top spots were few and far between. And you know, moving from a middle spot to a top spot wasn’t that easy. It wasn’t, because there was only room for a couple of guys there and you needed to pay your dues. You needed to earn your way there. If you would have just brought him in and won a few matches and then you all of a sudden put him with the top guys, the audience will not accept that. You have to earn that. And you said it too, even when you started talking about Bagwell. He came in from the school, right from the training center. And so he still needed a lot of a lot more ring time, a lot more and not — I don’t necessarily mean ring time, but just working angles, telling stories, getting in front of the mic, all that development that was going to take time for somebody like that, especially ahead of you. Like you said, when you have Steve Austin’s and Brian Pillman’s and some of these other guys getting that spot these days.”
On the challenges of facing Bagwell as a white meat babyface: “Well, it was oil in the water, yeah. And again, in those days — guys, there’s no way for me to make sense out of some of the things I was put in and some that occurred in those early days of WCW. And again, it was right at the three-year mark, right? Yeah. I’m still growing, still trying to figure things out. Things were changing. Bookers were constantly changing the front office, the company’s direction, and Bagwell and myself. That was just one of those. He and Scotty Riggs. Perfect together. Perfect. They looked perfect, and they gelled incredibly. Myself, you know, that thing that didn’t have a chance?”
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Buff Bagwell: The Challenges of Becoming a Main Eventer in WCW
Buff Bagwell, a name that resonates with wrestling fans from the 90s, had a career in WCW that was filled with ups and downs. Despite his undeniable talent and charisma, Bagwell never quite reached the pinnacle of becoming a main eventer. In a recent episode of “The ARN Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson shed some light on the factors that held Bagwell back and the challenges he faced as a white meat babyface.
According to Anderson, one of the main reasons Bagwell couldn’t break through to the top was the limited number of spots available for main event talent. Moving from a middle spot to a top spot was not an easy feat, as it required paying dues and earning the respect of both the audience and fellow wrestlers. Bagwell, who came straight from the training center, needed more time to develop his skills, work on angles, tell stories, and improve his mic skills. This development takes time, especially when there are already established stars like Steve Austin and Brian Pillman occupying those top spots.
Another challenge Bagwell faced was his portrayal as a white meat babyface. In wrestling terminology, a white meat babyface refers to a clean-cut, wholesome character who is loved by the fans. Anderson described the pairing of Bagwell with Scotty Riggs as perfect, as they looked the part and had great chemistry. However, when it came to Anderson himself, he felt that his character didn’t stand a chance. The dynamics between Bagwell’s white meat babyface persona and Anderson’s more complex character created friction and made it difficult for them to work together effectively.
Anderson also mentioned the constant changes in WCW’s management and direction during those early days. With bookers frequently altering the company’s course, it became challenging for wrestlers like Bagwell and Anderson to find their footing and establish themselves as main event contenders. The instability and uncertainty within the company added another layer of difficulty to Bagwell’s journey.
Despite these challenges, Bagwell’s talent and contributions to WCW should not be overlooked. He had memorable feuds, tag team partnerships, and moments that entertained fans throughout his career. While he may not have reached the top of the mountain, Bagwell’s impact on the wrestling industry is undeniable.
In conclusion, Buff Bagwell’s path to becoming a main eventer in WCW was hindered by various factors. Limited spots for top talent, the need for more development, the challenges of portraying a white meat babyface, and the constant changes within WCW all played a role in his journey. However, Bagwell’s legacy in the wrestling world remains intact, and his contributions to the industry should be recognized and celebrated.