10 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Big Boss Man

10. His Daughter Didn’t Understand Dad’s Popularity

Early on in the doc, Ray’s daughter Lacy admits that she didn’t understand his place in wrestling history or how popular Big Boss Man was until later. In addition, she says deep into the episode that she was “so traumatised by his death that it took [her] over a decade to even think about his wrestling career”. In a candid moment, Lacy admits that she “got cynical” about everything, but now feels “blessed to have shared him with so many people”.

There's a lovely sentiment behind that heartbreak, clearly.

Throughout, footage of Ray being “a girl dad” is heartwarming stuff. Lacy said she “always felt loved, and we spent a lot of time laughing” during those early years. She’d often put makeup on her father and goof around with him. Some footage of Traylor holding baby Lacy and telling the camera “this is for when you get older” will tug at the heartstrings.

Overall, it sounds like Traylor was a superb dad, and it’s really nice that side of things was explored on a series known for the worst of wrestling and the biggest character flaws in pro wrestlers. Of course, given the end to his life, there was grim stuff to come as well, but it's awesome that VICE could spotlight Ray as a great dude who just got mixed up in the relentlessness of pro wrestling and couldn't escape.

It took Lacy until adulthood to learn just how beloved her dad is by millions of people. That makes her smile today.