by Dave Meltzer

Dave@wrestlingobserver.com

Ray "Big Bossman" Traylor passed away suddenly at his home tonight. Traylor, who was 42, got his start as Jim Cornette's bodyguard Big Bubba Rogers in 1986 after he left his job as a prison guard in Marietta, GA.

After leaving Crockett promotions over pay, his real life job became is gimmick as the Big Bossman, the evil prison guard, who had a big run with Hulk Hogan.

He was also a major star with All Japan Pro Wrestling as Big Bubba in the 90s, before returning to the WWF in recent years.

At this point his death is a mystery. He had not been complaining of feeling bad, other than a bad knee. His wife found him in a room tonight and he wasn't breathing. Paramedics were unable to revive him.

As a wrestling fan growing up, I can honestly say that The Big Boss Man was one of my favorites. I remember his feuds with The Mountie, Nailz, and even Doink The Clown. Going back, I remember his work with Akeem, as part of the Twin Towers, with their manager Slick. I remember getting his three wrestling figures at Toys R Us. (LJN and 2 Hasbros) I remember putting him over Hulk Hogan in my wrestling figure league in second grade, when all my friends had their champion as the Macho Man. I remember playing NES Wrestling Challenge, and using The Big Bossman, while everyone else used Hogan and Andre. I remember having his Tonka Wrestling Buddy for Christmas. I remember being at Summerslam 1991 at MSG, and popping like mad when he beat the Mountie in a Jailbird match. I remember his theme music and the passion he brought to the ring every time. I remember his legendary feud with Bobby Heenan and Heenans family. I remember him beating Mr. Perfect at Wrestlemania VII by countout, and being mad because he didn't win the IC title. I remember Ric Flair eliminating him at number 15 in the 1992 Royal Rumble. I remember meeting him at an autograph signing as a 6th grader and him signing, even though I was late. I remember one of the last episodes of WWF Superstars when it was HBK vs Big Boss Man for the IC title. Being conflicted I didn't care about the end result of the match, but I was pulling for Boss Man to win. I remember the match being a draw. I remember him going to WCW as Big Bubba Rogers. I remember the Guardian Angel. I remember his work in the nWo. I remember him, as an older wrestling fan, going back to the WWF where he won the WWF Hardcore and Tag Team Titles, and just marking out for the guy, because I was so happy that Boss Man would go down in wrestling history as a champion. I remember his feud with the Big Show for the WWF title, and actually thinking Boss Man would win it. I remember him dragging Big Show's father casket around a graveyard while saying "you're dead daddy..." I remember him losing to The Rock at Survivor Series 98, which would set up Rock to join the Corporation. I remember him at Wrestlemania XV, even though it was the worst Hell in a Cell match ever. I remember Hell in a Kennel, and Bossman serving up Al Snow's dog to him on a plate. I remember Big Bossman doing alot of charity work. I remember Big Boss Man taking photos with various people in the interest of benefitting mankind positively. I remember being excited when Frank Goodman told me he was interested in using Big Boss Man in USA Pro Wrestling. I remember alot about the Big Boss Man and what he did for the sport of pro wrestling.
Now he's dead, from natural causes. No one dies naturally at the age of 42.

Big Boss Man- thank you for the memories. You will never be forgotten, at least to me. Somewhere, you will be laying down law and order.

If you ever take a trip down to Cobb County, Georgia,ya betta read the signs
Respect the law and order.
You'll serve hard times.
You'll be serving hard times.
You know the Big Bossman'll make ya walk the line
ya betta watch that trucky
you'll be serving hard time
he carrys a big stick that'll probably change you,
your looking for trouble
he'll be coming after you.
You'll serve hard times.
You'll be serving hard times.
You know the Big Bossman'll make you walk the line
ya betta watch that car
you'll be serving hard times.
You'll be serving hard times
you'll be serving hard times
ya know the Big Bossman'll make ya walk the line
ya betta watch that car
you'll be serving hard time. You'll be serving hard times
you'll be serving hard times.
Ya know the Big Bossman'll make ya walk the line
ya betta watch that car or you'll be serving hard times

RIP Ray Traylor

Sean "The MiC" McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com