The 1980s were a magical time for fans of the National Wrestling Alliance. With fantastic wrestling, quality booking and characters that live on in the hearts and minds of fans to this day, it was a moment in time in which all elements came together to deliver some of the finest wrestling product ever. Jim Cornette was one of the premiere managers of the decade and his tag team, the Midnight Express, was one of the most hated duos in the business. It did not help that Cornette was a loudmouth, babbling heel of a manager, an elitist momma's boy with a tennis racket that oftentimes found its way upside the head or back of one of the Express' opponents. Soon, the top babyfaces in the industry wanted to get their hands on Cornette as much as they did his team. To ensure his safety, he recruited a young heavyweight named Big Bubba Rogers. An imposing star with the look of a bruiser, he was the muscle behind the operation. While he filled the role to perfection, he wound up leaving the NWA for the brighter lights and bigger stage of WWE in 1988, where he starred as the Big Boss Man. In 1998, the Boss Man returned to a familiar role, serving as the muscle behind the Corporation. As the personal bodyguard for Mr. McMahon, he fended off the likes of Steve Austin and Mankind. It was the highest profile run for the heavyweight to date and one that rejuvenated his career. One of the most talented big men of all time, Boss Man made a name for himself first as a bodyguard. Without being discovered and placed at the side of Cornette, the wrestling world would have been robbed of one of the most athletic super heavyweights to ever grace the squared circle.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
