10 Underrated Elements Of WCW In 1999
7. Buff Bagwell
If there was one "shoulda been, coulda been" instance of a future star for WCW, Buff Bagwell was it.
The former nWo member was excommunicated from the group by former friend Scott Steiner and wasted little time in making a name for himself as a singles star. More importantly, the people accepted him.
"Buff the Stuff" quickly became one of the most popular characters on the show, his catchphrase, look and charisma blending together to create the first credible breakout star the company had promoted since Bill Goldberg.
Never before was his popularity more evident than on the June 7 episode of Nitro, where Bagwell was the clear star of an eight-man tag team match also featuring Ric Flair, Roddy Piper, Diamond Dallas Page, Kanyon, Chris Benoit, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn.
The "Buff" signs are in abundance and the eruption that fills the arena when he pins The Nature Boy clean following his Buff Blockbuster, is startling.
History tells us a different story of Bagwell. He has jokes about his mother or his current job as a gigolo thrown his way, his influence on the WCW product downplayed. But for a period of time in 1999, he was the closest thing the company had to a fresh, exciting new star that the promotion had.
Had the logjam of legends not prevented him from achieving success at the top of the card, the Monday Night Wars may have turned out differently.
Or, at the very least, delayed the inevitable.