In an intimate reflection about his career, Buff Bagwell recounts the events leading to his altercation with Shane Helms, which occurred just before his WWE dismissal.
The fifth season of Dark Side of the Ring took a deep dive into the life and career of former wrestling icon Buff Bagwell during its second episode. The show provided a platform for Bagwell to share the highs and lows of his time in the spotlight, shining a light on a particular incident with fellow wrestler Shane Helms in July 2001.
Bagwell gave a vivid portrayal of the verbal exchange that quickly escalated into a physical confrontation, saying, “Shane says something like, ‘Wow, Buff made it on time today.’ I go, ‘You had a great day today, brother.’ He goes, ‘I’m hurt.’ I go, ‘Oh, I know, yeah. You’re always hurt or something.’ He goes, ‘Well at least I’m not a drug addict.’ I told him, ‘… I can just slap your teeth down your f***ing throat.’”
As the story goes, after Bagwell delivered what he refers to as the “Bagwell slap,” a move taught by his father to assert dominance, Helms retaliated unexpectedly with a frozen water bottle he had concealed. Bagwell recounted the aftermath of the incident, revealing his decision to handle the injury privately and his commitment to performing later that evening despite his condition.
Reflecting on his performance against Booker T in the WWE RAW main event that followed, Bagwell expressed his belief that the match was a success, despite receiving a contrary opinion from WWE management and a less-than-enthusiastic response from the audience. “So they call me that week and they’re like, ‘Hey, man, we’ve got big plans for you on Monday.’ And I was fired the next week,” Bagwell lamented, calling into question the rationale behind his sudden firing.
A previous commentary on the altercation from Shane Helms on Sam Roberts’ Wrestling Podcast in 2016 revealed his side—downplaying the severity of the encounter and suggesting he had only thrown a small plastic water bottle, not frozen, at Bagwell. Following the event, WWE stalwarts including The APA and Steve Austin took Helms’ side, displaying solidarity with him over Bagwell.
RELATED: Buff Bagwell announces intentions to return to wrestling and his aspirations for induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
FAQ Section
What was the altercation between Buff Bagwell and Shane Helms about?
The altercation began with a verbal exchange that escalated when Bagwell responded to a slight from Helms with physical aggression.
How did Shane Helms retaliate against Buff Bagwell’s slap?
Helms responded to the slap by hitting Bagwell from behind with a frozen water bottle he had concealed, resulting in a severe head injury for Bagwell.
What were the implications of Buff Bagwell’s match against Booker T?
Despite Bagwell’s personal perception of the match’s quality, he was criticized by WWE officials and the audience reaction was poor. This led to his firing from the WWE shortly after.
Did Shane Helms and Buff Bagwell reconcile after the incident?
There is no public information available that suggests a reconciliation between Bagwell and Helms following the altercation.
What does Buff Bagwell attribute to his WWE firing?
Bagwell implies that his firing was unreasonable, believing it was based on one bad match and that other factors may have influenced the decision to terminate his contract.
Conclusion
Buff Bagwell’s recounting of his altercation with Shane Helms and the subsequent match with Booker T sheds light on the often tumultuous world of professional wrestling. Both on and off the camera, tensions can run high, and actions carry weighty consequences. As he continues to reflect on his past experiences, fans can only speculate about what truly led to his rapid downfall from WWE’s main event to being fired. What remains clear is that the clashes in this narrative aren’t just reserved for the wrestling stage; they resonate long after in the lives of the individuals involved.