After legitimately working as a corrections officer, Ray Traylor’s career in the pro-wrestling industry began in Jim Crockett Promotions, one of the most important wrestling promotions in the history of North Carolina. He initially wrestled under his real name, but was soon repackaged as Big Bubba Rogers, the bodyguard of Jim Cornette.
It was quickly established that when Big Bubba Rogers was in the ring, he was a powerful force, capable of delivering a stunning offense.
After spending a month in Japan wrestling for AJPW, Ray Traylor moved to WWE, where he became Big Boss Man, his most successful persona. The gimmick, a corrections officer turned wrestler, was instantly memorable. Boss Man entered the arena wearing a blue prison guard uniform and carrying a nightstick. The character was a perfect fit for Traylor’s large size and serious facial expression. He engaged in his first major feud only five months after his debut, attacking Hulk Hogan during an episode of, "The Brother Love Show".
Big Boss Man's feud with Hulk Hogan put him in main event WWE matches across the country, where Boss Man was able to best prove his ability to deliver hard-hitting matches.
Throughout his time in WWE, Big Boss Man consistently delivered solid performances. He was a reliable wrestler who could be counted on to present a good match, regardless of his opponent. Boss Man also demonstrated an impressive ability to adapt and reinvent his character, transitioning from a heel to a face and becoming as much of an ally to Hulk Hogan as he had previously been an enemy.
Big Boss Man's WWE run began in 1988, and after being utilized regularly for five years straight, the company wanted to reduce his match frequency for a period of time. This would ensure Boss Man's longevity and maintain his special attraction status, while also allowing WWE to highlight other talents and build anticipation for Boss Man's eventual return which likely would have been met with renewed excitement from fans. However, Boss Man, not wanting to wrestle less, decided to leave WWE in March 1993. He returned to AJPW in July, wrestling as "Big Bubba" (although still wearing the blue prison guard uniform), where he remained until December.
Ray Traylor made an unannounced WCW debut on December 13 as "The Boss", attacking and then defeating Rick Rude during an episode of WCW Saturday Night. Shortly before Rude abruptly left WWE in 1990, he instigated a feud with The Boss by making negative comments about his mother and calling him out. With Rude gone from WWE, their feud was unfinished, so with both of them finally now in a company together three years later, The Boss' attack looked like he was paying Rude back for those negative comments.
Due to legal complaints from WWE that "The Boss" was similar to "Big Boss Man", Ray Traylor was renamed "The Guardian Angel" in 1994, inspired by the international volunteer organization, Guardian Angels.
Ray Traylor maintained this gimmick until turning heel in 1995 and again being known as Big Bubba.
During Big Bubba's heel run in WCW, he was briefly a member of two notable heel factions- the Dungeon of Doom and the nWo.
In 1998, Ray Traylor returned to WWE as Big Boss Man, in the role of a heel enforcer for Vince McMahon in his Corporation faction, which later merged with The Undertaker's Ministry Of Darkness faction to form the Corporate Ministry. This was an updated version of Boss Man, his blue prison guard uniform replaced by black riot gear.
Just as Ray Traylor did in his first WWE run and in WCW, Traylor maintained his credibility as a standout rugged figure.
Although Big Boss Man did become a 4-time WWE Hardcore Champion, he was rarely a part of a top singles title scene while in a major promotion, despite his popularity, talent, and longevity. Boss Man was a dependable and valuable asset to any roster, but was not given much opportunity to be a world champion, although he did earn it. However, Boss Man was in WWE and WCW during times when both promotions were at their strongest in terms of having top-tier stars like The Undertaker, Triple H, The Rock, Bret Hart, Steve Austin, Ric Flair, and Hulk Hogan- reaching the top was a difficult task when sharing a roster with stars of that level.
While Big Boss Man remained a consistent and popular performer in WWE and WCW, one has to wonder if his career direction might have been different had Boss Man focused more on Japan. AJPW was known for its physically demanding King's Road style. This style emphasized aggressive action, making it a fitting showcase for his brawling and power moves. During his time in AJPW, he faced top stars like Kenta Kobashi, Akira Taue, and Jumbo Tsuruta, gaining valuable experience against world-class competition. His presence in AJPW, alongside other foreign talents like Stan Hansen, Steve Williams, and Jimmy Snuka underscored his standing as a respected international competitor. Did Big Boss Man miss an opportunity to achieve greater heights, including a potential Triple Crown Championship run, by not dedicating more of his career to the Japanese wrestling scene, a scene where his solid, direct, and hard-hitting style might have made him stand out even more than he did in WWE and WCW?
In any case, Big Boss Man's legacy isn't defined by championship gold, but by something perhaps even more valuable: consistency, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. He proved himself a reliable and versatile performer, capable of excelling whether he was a heel or face. Ray Traylor's Big Boss Man character remains a memorable and impactful figure in professional wrestling history, a testament to his talent and dedication, even without a world title reign. He was a skilled professional and a dependable performer who consistently elevated the matches he participated in, a legacy worthy of celebration.
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