Sport: Wrestling
Born: September 1, 1961
Died: January 19, 2007
Town: Asbury Park, New Jersey
Scott Charles Bigelow was born September 1, 1961 in Asbury Park, NJ. Big and quick as a kid, he lost very little of his agility as he grew to 6’4″ as a teenager and surpassed 300 pounds. “Bam Bam” was one of the first pupils at the Monster Factory, a wrestling school in Gloucester City run by Larry Sharpe and Buddy Rodgers. By the time Bam Bam “graduated” he weighed close to 400 pounds and was ready to wreak havoc on opponents.
Bam Bam first made headlines wrestling in Memphis. He was cast as a bad guy, or “heel.” In 1986, Bam Bam joined the WWF, changing his stripes to become a good guy. He teamed with Hulk Hogan in an epic group match entitled the Survivor Series, and survived until Andre the Giant pinned him. Bam Bam also participated in WrestleMania IV. At the end of 1986, Bam Bam was named WWF Rookie of the Year.
After four years competing for rival league NWA, Bam Bam returned to the WWF in 1992 as a bad guy, and as the “love interest” of Luna Vachon. In 1995, he teamed with former rival Tanaka—a Native American wrestler—to reach the finals of the WWF World Tag Team Championship. Later that year, Bam Bam entered into a feud with Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who had developed an interest in pro wrestling. Bam Bam and LT subsequently squared off in the main event of WrestleMania XI, with Taylor “winning.”
Bam Bam left the WWF for the second time in 1996, becoming a champion for Extreme Championship Wrestling when he defeated Shane Douglas. In a wild rematch, Bam Bam lost the belt to Douglas, and both wrestlers were badly injured.
In 1998, Bam Bam joined the World Championship Wrestling circuit, where he was cast as a rival to champion Bill Goldberg. In 2000, Bam Bam made headlines outside the ring when he rushed into a burning house and carried three children to safety. He was in the hospital for two months following the heroic act.
After the WWF purchased WCW in 2001, Bam Bam edged toward retirement. He competed sporadically as an independent wrestler until 2006. As with many athletes his size, he suffered from heart disease. Bam Bam also had problems with drugs and alcohol. He died in his sleep at age 45 in 2007 after overdosing on a mixture of cocaine and an anti-anxiety medication.