Written: January 20, 2007WWE.com has learned that former WWE Superstar Scott "Bam Bam" Bigelow has passed away in Florida.
Kevin Doll, the Public Information Director for the Pasco County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Bigelow was found dead early Friday morning in his home in Hudson, Fla.
"We can confirm that Scott Bigelow was found in his home this morning. At this time the cause of death is unknown," Doll told WWE.com.
Doll also confirmed that the Pasco-Pinellas Counties medical examiner has taken the body and an autopsy will be performed.
Bigelow, 45, worked for WWE, ECW and WCW extensively throughout his 20-year sports-entertainment career. A former ECW Champion, ECW Television Champion and WCW Tag Team Champion, he is perhaps best known for his rivalry with Lawrence Taylor that culminated in the main event of WrestleMania XI in 1995.
The sports-entertainment world was saddened with news of the passing of Bam Bam Bigelow. WWE.com has been in contact with several of the men who worked with Bigelow over the years, and this is what they had to say about the man known as "The Beast from the East."
Rob Van Dam:
“I’ve never seen anyone of Bam Bam’s size move the way he did. He’s one of the strongest men I’ve ever been in the ring with. In the old ECW, he was the big star that added credibility to our cause. It was an honor to work with him and to know him. One of the favorite moments of my career was the night in Buffalo where I beat him for the ECW Television Title; I got the biggest rub of my career that night, and that match turned me into a Superstar. Everything from there has been uphill, and I’ve always been seen with a different perception and higher respect from the fans. I’ve always enjoyed bragging when I show off the old ECW Television Title to the fans that I beat Bam Bam for that title. He was a true Superstar, I enjoyed watching him as a fan, working with him and wrestling him. In and out of the ring he was a tremendous professional and I have a lot of respect for him.”
Tazz:
"I’m really saddened about this. I had the opportunity to wrestle Bam Bam several times in ECW, and I learned a lot from being in the ring with him. He was one of the toughest S.O.B.’s you could ever, ever, face in that ring. This is horrible news. He was too young to go."
Paul Heyman:
“Scott Bigelow got a lot more out of life than he ever imagined possible.”
“Bam Bam had a level of raw, unrefined talent that no one had ever seen before. He broke the mold. He clearly broke the mold. When else could a guy that size do picture perfect drop kicks and do moves off the top rope? Later on, Bam Bam settled down in his career to just do the splash from the top. But, there was nothing he couldn’t do if he wanted to. He was a like a prodigy in that if he watched someone do something in the ring, he could emulate it in the ring instantly.”
Jerry Saggs of the Nasty Boys:
"Bam Bam needs to be remembered in a positive light for all the contributions he had to this business. He was a good friend to me, and everyone."
Tommy Dreamer:
“It’s a definite loss to the wrestling business and the world. I knew Bam Bam very well; I had many great matches with him, and I loved watching his matches with Rob Van Dam. Bam Bam was a major star that really helped put ECW on the map. He’ll be missed.”
Ted Dibiase:
“He was a joy to work with in those years that I managed him. I was in his corner when he had the match against LT, and he was all business then. He was a real likeable guy and he was all into his family. In my dealing, he was a good guy and a businessman and a pleasure to work with.”
Mean Gene:
“I’m very, very, sorry to hear that. About the only thing I can say is it’s a real shocker to me. Here was a guy that in my opinion enjoyed life to the Nth degree. He was a great fisherman, I don’t think a lot of people knew that. He really enjoyed fishing. I went fishing with him before out on the Atlantic Ocean, and he was the best. Im going to miss the guy, not only from his wrestling exploits, but also because this guy was a human being. He was one of us, and he liked to get out and enjoy life, and he did enjoy life. I’m just very sorry to hear he’s passed on.”
Howard Finkel:
“He was a big man who could move, which was an amazing feat. He was unique in his style and appearance, and never left the ring without leaving everything he had out there. He was a very talented performer and will be missed.”
Jimmy Hart:
“I was actually on a radio show this morning, and when I got off the show I found out about Bam Bam. This is such a terrible, terrible loss for the wrestling world. Bam Bam was so unique and so different, and what a heck of a worker, just tremendous. Wow, this is just a total shock.”
Jake Roberts:
"He was a funny guy, a great guy to be around. He was a man. He was one of the best big men we ever had in this business. All I can say is that I wish the best for his family."
Joey Styles:
“As a wrestling fan, the visual of Tazz and Bam Bam Bigelow crashing through the ring in Bam Bam Bigelow’s home town of Asbury Park, New Jersey, is forever burned into my mind. Bam Bam Bigelow was a great performer and more importantly he was a father. He will be missed by everybody who knew him.”
Gregory Helms:
“I can’t recall ever wrestling him in WCW, but I can say that he was always in good spirits in the locker room. He seemed like a happy-go-lucky guy. He was one of the few guys that you never heard anyone say a bad thing about which is rare, because everybody has bad days in this business.”
Steve "Brooklyn Brawler" Lombardi:
"I actually traveled with Bam Bam for many years. He’s always been a good guy and a true professional. I wrestled him several times as well. I have nothing bad to say about Bam Bam. He was a great person."
Viscera
“Bam Bam Bigelow and Andre the Giant were the two guys who inspired me to get into wrestling. Whenever I saw Bam Bam wrestle, I just had so much respect for him. I had never seen a guy of his girth move with such agility. We wrestled together in matches all around the world, and he taught me so much. I think he was an ambassador of big men in wrestling; he showed the world that we’re also athletes, not just guys who little guys can bounce off of. I’m very saddened about Scott’s death, and I want his family to know that they’re in my heart and prayers. Scott Bigelow will live forever. He will never die.”
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Originally Posted by qrj
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