The producers of the docuseries Dark Side of the Ring recently published an Instagram story suggesting that the late Ray Traylor, professionally known as the Big Boss Man, will be the subject of an upcoming episode. The short video featured a Big Boss Man action figure in a room illuminated by flashing blue and red police lights, with professional film cameras visible.
Dark Side of the Ring Overview
Dark Side of the Ring is a documentary series that examines controversial and tragic events within the professional wrestling industry. The program is produced by Vice Studios Canada and typically features interviews with family members, peers, and historians to provide an in-depth look at its subjects.
Topics covered in recent seasons include the career of the Dynamite Kid, the life of Chris Kanyon, and the 1990s steroid trials involving WWE. The series has been renewed for a seventh season, with production already underway.
Career of the Big Boss Man
Ray Washington Traylor Jr. was an American professional wrestler who achieved prominence in both the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Before his wrestling career, Traylor worked as a corrections officer in Cobb County, Georgia, a role that served as the primary inspiration for his most famous wrestling persona.
- Early Career (1985–1987): Traylor debuted in 1985 for Jim Crockett Promotions. He was eventually repackaged as Big Bubba Rogers, a silent bodyguard for manager Jim Cornette, and engaged in a high-profile feud with Dusty Rhodes.
- Initial WWF Run (1988–1993): Traylor joined the WWF in 1988 as the Big Boss Man, a heel character who handcuffed defeated opponents to the ring ropes. He teamed with Akeem as The Twin Towers and engaged in a major feud with Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage. He later transitioned into a “face” (heroic) character, feuding with Bobby Heenan and The Mountie.
- WCW Tenure (1993–1998): In WCW, he performed under several names, including The Boss, The Guardian Angel, and Big Bubba Rogers. He was a member of both the Dungeon of Doom and the New World Order (nWo) factions.
- WWF Return (1998–2003): Traylor returned to the WWF in 1998 with a new look, wearing a black SWAT-style uniform and serving as the personal security for Vince McMahon’s “Corporation” faction. During this era, he participated in several controversial storylines, including a feud with the Big Show where he interrupted the funeral of the Big Show’s father.
Personal Life and Legacy
Traylor was born on May 2, 1963, in Marietta, Georgia. He married his childhood sweetheart, Angela, in 1989, and the couple had two daughters. Outside of the ring, Traylor was known for his civic contributions, which included organizing memorial ceremonies for victims of the September 11 attacks.
Ray Traylor passed away on September 22, 2004, at the age of 41 after suffering a heart attack at his home in Dallas, Georgia. He was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2016, with his wife and daughters accepting the award on his behalf.
