WWW - Former WWF and WCW star Ray Traylor, 42, passed away last week. Traylor, better known as the Big Boss Man, was found dead in his home by his wife.
According to reports he died of a massive heart attack. Traylor was a prison guard and later parlayed his real-life experience into a WWF and WCW character.
Traylor joined the then WWF in 1988 accompanied by his manager Slick (Ernie The Cat Ladd's son). Traylor left for WCW and later returned to the company in 1998 as Vince McMahon's head of security.
His last assignment with the company was in mid 2002. He spent time in Ohio Valley Wrestling, the feeder group to WWE under Jim Cornette and Danny Davis, and scouted up-n-coming talent. Prior to those Big Bossman days, Traylor was Cornette's bodyguard Big Bubba Rogers in WCW.
''I can remember wrestling for Jim Crocket Promotions, when I met Ray for the first time,'' said Florida's Cuban Assassin Fidel Sierra. ``He was a truly nice guy, and we got to know each other better as the years went by. Even though we weren't best friends, I always respected him as a wrestler and as a man.''
Traylor as Big Bubba Rogers made his UWF Power Pro Wrestling debut on May 2, 1987 against Mike Reed and The Glassman in the Mid South.
''I remember the last time I saw him, which was a few years back, when he was wrestling for WWE in Tampa,'' said Sierra. ``I went by the hotel to meet with the late Curt Hennig and say hello to some of the boys.
``Ray was there as well, and it was nice to see him and to catch up on the good old days. The thing I really liked about him was that no matter how successful he was, he always remembered his roots, and he would be glad to see you -- always saying hello to everyone.''
