10 Shocking Behind The Scenes Stories WCW Didn’t Want You To Know

6. Buff Bagwell's 'Fake Death' Plans

Hollywood Hulk Hogan Scott Hall WCW Knife
WWE

Buff Bagwell suffered a terrifying, and potentially career/life-ending, neck injury on the 22 April 1998 episode of Thunder. Rick Steiner's bulldog went wrong and there were genuine fears that Bagwell might never wrestle again. He did, but not before WCW came up with something wacky to capitalise on the concern.

Buff told the 'Sitting Ringside' podcast that Eric Bischoff pitched that he fake his own death; WCW would announce that Bagwell had died in a plane crash whilst recovering, then lower him from the rafters as a "ghost" come October's Halloween Havoc pay-per-view. Yes, you're forgiven for taking time out to say, 'What. The. F*ck'.

This was seriously considered backstage.

WCW didn't want fans to know what they were discussing either. They wanted Bagwell's "death" to be shrouded in mystery before his Havoc return. Of course, it didn't end up happening. Buff teased playing sympathetic babyface for a while before attacking Rick and rejoining the nWo.

Swerve, bro.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.