5-time champion says his dad was in RAW crowd when WWE released him

Modified Dec 10, 2024 21:57 GMT

ECW invaded the July 9, 2001, episode of RAW [Image Credit: wwe.com] — ECW invaded the July 9, 2001, episode of RAW [Image credit: wwe.com]

ECW and WCW joined forces to take on WWE during the infamous 2001 Invasion angle. In a recent YouTube video, Buff Bagwell revealed his memories of the night Extreme Championship Wrestling stars got involved in the storyline.

On July 9, 2001, Bagwell's family were in the RAW crowd waiting to watch their son perform in his home state of Georgia. The five-time WCW World Tag Team Champion had been told WWE had plans for him that night. However, after arriving for work, Jim Ross informed the veteran wrestler he had been released.

Speaking on his Marcus Buff Bagwell YouTube channel, Bagwell recalled how he told his father the unfortunate news while he was in the RAW crowd:

"The drive home, I remember calling my father. I think they were getting in the stands and everything. I said, 'Hey, you guys can come home,' and he goes, 'What do you mean?' I said, 'I'm home.' He was like, 'Oh.' I don't even remember that night. I'm sure I went home and got extremely drunk and probably took several pills." [15:55 – 16:22]

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A week earlier, Bagwell unsuccessfully challenged Booker T for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in the RAW main event. The match turned out to be his only televised WWE in-ring contest.

How Buff Bagwell handled his WWE exit

On the night of his departure, Buff Bagwell instantly realized he could no longer afford his expensive car and $1 million mansion.

The 54-year-old became depressed and suffered from addiction issues for two decades before turning his life around:

"Very depressed, very down, and that was the beginning of a 20-year addiction that I stayed sedated for 20 consecutive years there," Bagwell continued. "Again, July 9th, 2001, will go down as the worst day of my entire life." [16:23 – 16:47]

In the same episode, Bagwell addressed a little-known reason why his match with Booker T did not go according to plan.

What are your thoughts on WWE releasing Buff Bagwell? Hit the discuss button and let us know.

Please credit Marcus Buff Bagwell and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.

Edited by Danny Hart