Buff Bagwell Accident Leaves Wrestler With Broken Neck
A former championship wrestler is recovering from a serious car wreck where he suffered serious injuries.
Marcus Alexander Bagwell, 42, who went by "Buff" Bagwell in the ring, remained sedated in the intensive care unit at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Georgia after he was involved in a serious car accident which left him with a broken jaw and several broken bones in his neck and face.
According to media reports, Bagwell lost control of his jeep while driving in Woodstock, which is north of Atlanta on Monday, April 23rd. Police reports state that the vehicle flipped several times, but that he was wearing his seatbelt.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
There are also reports that the wrestler suffered a seizure right before the crash. Police reports indicate that Bagwell apparently called his wife and told her that that "he was getting ready to have a seizure," according to the entertainment website TMZ.
"Hopefully, he'll make a full recovery," Ron Gossett, president of Universal Championship Wrestling, said.
Buff Bagwell first came to the forefront of the wrestling universe of World Championship Wrestling in the early 1990s.
During the middle of the '90s, the rise and popularity of Hulk Hogan and the former World Wrestling Federation began to see a dramatic increase in popularity and ratings. During the time when the two wresting organizations were competing for fans, Bagwell suffered a serious injury.
Buff Bagwell suffered a broken neck when he was facing Rick Steiner. The injury was sustained on live television. During a wrestling move called "the bulldog" Steiner grabbed Bagwell and as the two were landing the move Bagwell came down awkwardly.
Bagwell's head slipped out of position and landed on Steiner's hip, breaking his neck, but Bagwell did recover and return to the ring.
After the WCW fell apart he was given an opportunity to work with World Wrestling Entertainment, but after a short period of time he was fired.
