In 1987, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan debuted, a major signing from Bill Watts' UWF promotion with immense potential in the WWF. His first feud? The re-cast as All-American "tough guy" Duggan feuding with then then still heated up and credible anti-American tandem of Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik. With a start like this, what could go wrong? Well, the worst possible thing. Following a WWF event in New Jersey, Hacksaw Duggan was pulled over by the New Jersey state police officers that suspected that Duggan was driving under the influence. They were correct in this assertion, noting the influence of marijuana and alcohol. Next to Duggan, though? His on screen pro wrestling rival the Iron Sheik, drunk and high on cocaine. The arrest made news in the press and led to Sheik's immediate termination, while Duggan was briefly released and rehired. Regarding the arrest, Duggan has stated on numerous occasions that he felt as though his main event push in WWE was permanently sidetracked by his actions - actions that took place within six months at the beginning of his initial six-year run with the company.
Besides having been an independent professional wrestling manager for a decade, Marcus Dowling is a Washington, DC-based writer who has contributed to a plethora of online and print magazines and newspapers writing about music and popular culture over the past 15 years.
