RAYMOND TRAYLOR / BIG BOSSMAN
1962-2004
Raymond “Ray” Traylor, who gained fame throughout the world as Big Bubba Rogers and the Big Bossman, died on September 23, 2004 from a massive heart attack. He was 42 years old.

Traylor, who stood 6'6" and normally weighed in excess of 300 pounds, was one of the most successful big men of the 80s and 90s. He started his career off in high gear as Big Bubba Rogers, the bodyguard for Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express. Early rivals included Dusty Rhodes and Ronnie Garvin. A talent exchange with

Bill Watts’ UWF saw Rogers conquering UWF Heavyweight Champion (and future tag team partner) One Man Gang in 1987. Rogers would hold the title for several months before losing it to Steve “Dr. Death” Williams in July of that year.

Basing his character on his former job as a prison guard in his native Georgia, the WWF brought Traylor in as The Big Bossman, who dished out his own form of southern justice, and immediately put him in matches with WWF World Heavyweight champion Hulk Hogan. He became a cornerstone figure of the WWF for many years, and he was with the organization, off and on, for more than a decade and a half. He held the WWF Hardcore title on several occasions and the WWF World Tag Team title with Ken Shamrock.

Traylor also had a great deal of success in WCW and All-Japan Pro Wrestling. In later years he served as a trainer and goodwill ambassador for the WWF/WWE. He also did a great deal of charity work, raising funds for many worthy causes using his celebrity status to his best advantage.

A long-time member of the Cauliflower Alley Club, Ray Traylor will be missed. All of us at the CAC send our condolences to his family and friends.