Bam Bam Bigelow Death – Drug Overdose
Bam Bam Bigelow – Dead at 45 from a drug overdose. photo: wwe.com
1961-2007 (age 45)
In the 90s, Scott Charles “Bam Bam” Bigelow was a star in the wrestling world. Born on September 1, 1961 in Asbury Park New Jersey, Bigelow grew into a big guy who stood 6’4 and weighed in at three hundred and ninety pounds. Known for his size and the bold flame tattoo that covered his bald head, he had a long career in the wrestling world that spanned twenty-one years.
Bam Bam was noted for being an unusually agile wrestler for his size. He went by a variety of ring names during his career including Bam Bam Bigelow, Bruce Bigelow, Crusher Bam Bam Bigelow, and Crusher Yurkof. Bam Bam lived up to his nickname “The Beast from the East”. He held multiple championships in ECW and WCW. With the WWF he headlined WrestleMania XI, squaring off against NFL star Lawrence Taylor.
The Bam Bam Bigelow death occurred on January 19, 2007, in Hudson, Florida. He was only forty-five. He was survived by his girlfriend Janis Remiensiewicz, his ex-wife Dana Fisher and their three children.
Early Career 1985-1992
Bam Bam Bigelow debuted as a wrestler in 1985. He trained at Larry Sharpe’s Monster Factory in New Jersey. He was billed as a monster heel in the ring when he debuted professionally in Memphis, Tennessee. He signed with the WWF in 1987. Sidelined by a knee injury, he still performed to support other wrestlers. From 1988 to 1992 he worked for Jim Crockett promotions and challenged Barry Windham for the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship. He then spent time in Japan with New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Return to Professional Wrestling in the US (1992-2001)
Bam Bam Bigelow and NFL star Lawrence Taylor in the main event at Wrestlemania XI. photo: wwe.com
Upon his return the United States Bam Bam Bam Bigelow returned to the WWF where he went back to being a heel. He had a colorful career there from 1992 to 1995. With manager (or “main squeeze” as he liked to refer to her) Luna Vachon by his side, Bam Bam feuded with Tatanka and Doink the Clown. He was featured in several PPVs including SummerSlam, Survivor Series, King of the Ring and the Royal Rumble.
In 1995 he was featured in the main event at WrestleMania XI. Bigelow squared off with NFL legend, Lawrence Taylor. I still question why they didn’t script Bam Bam to win, as it would have been a huge push. His final match for the WWF was at the 1995 Survivor Series.
12 years prior to his death: Bam Bam takes on NFL star Lawrence Taylor in the main event at WrestleMania XI (Hartford Civic Center – April 2, 1995)
Bam Bam joined Extreme Championship Wrestling in 1995. His feud with Taz became legendary and Bam Bam defeated him at the Living Dangerously PPV in March of 1998.
Later in 1998 Bam Bam left the ECW and went to World Championship Wrestling. He had a notable feud with WCW World Heavyweight Champion Goldberg. He then went to the WCW Hardcore division. Bam Bam lost his final match to Stasiak at WCW Nitro in March of 2001.
8 years before his death: Bam Bam makes his WCW debut on Monday Nitro. He proceeds to clean house and then call out Goldberg (November 16, 1998)
Wrestling on the Independent Circuit (2002-2006)
Before his death, and in the final stage of his career, Bam Bam Bigelow wrestled on the independent circuit. He made the move to the independent circuit when the WCW was bought by the WWF in March of 2001. He made appearances for USA Pro Wrestling. His final wrestling match was on October 25, 2006. He was working for American Combat Wrestling Promotions with Ralph Mosca (The Syndicate) in tag team match against Overkill.
The Man Behind the Wrestler
Bam Bam was popular and generally well-liked among his associates. He earned the admiration of managers and other wrestlers for his work ethic and his agile athleticism in the ring. Other wrestlers cited him as influence on their careers. He was able to put aside his personal feud with Taz and become friends. He was also known for an act of heroism that occurred in July of 2000. Bam Bam suffered from second degree burns covering forty percent of his body while he rescued three children from a burning house.
5 years before his death: Bam Bam shoot interview from Legends of Wrestling II (2002)
After his retirement from wrestling, Bam Bam made appearances to promote a chain of automotive customizers and opened a burger restaurant, which failed. He was in a serious motorcycle accident in October of 2005. His girlfriend Janis Remiesiewicz was in the accident with him and received serious injuries.
Bam Bam Bigelow Death
On January 19, 2007, at 10:00 am, Janis Remiensiewicz found Bam Bam Bigelow dead in his home in Hudson, Florida. An autopsy was performed. It determined that the Bam Bam Bigelow death was from a drug overdose. There were multiple drugs in his system, including cocaine and an anti-anxiety drug. The drugs were at a toxic level in his system.
Bam Bam Bigelow with his “main squeeze” Luna Vachon. photo: wwe.com
The autopsy also noted that he suffered from arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which was also a likely factor in Bam Bam’s death. It is a sad fact that, like many professional wrestlers, Bam Bam was addicted to drugs. His death due to a drug overdose is not unique among wrestlers. He had a history of drug and alcohol use that was mentioned after his death by many people that knew him during his life.
Bigelow also suffered from seizures, which apparently caused an incident in 2004 when he was charged with endangering the welfare of a child through reckless driving. The charges were eventually dropped.
Personal struggles aside, the circumstances surrounding the Bam Bam Bigelow death news never overshadowed his professional career. Bam Bam is a well remembered figure from anyone who watched the WWF in the early 90s.
Scott Bigelow was cremated. It’s not public knowledge who his ashes were given to.
Have a comment about Bam Bam Bigelow? Sound off in the comments section below.
