Big Boss Man (real name Ray Traylor) went from being used as an enhancement talent with only a handful of matches under his belt to feuding with the NWA and WWE’s top stars as The Big Boss Man within just a few years. His was a career defined by showing up and putting in the work.
Ray Traylor initially appeared at Jim Crockett Promotions primarily to fulfill lower-tier roles. At the start of his career, he found himself in lesser positions on the NWA's flagship TV program.
Booker Dusty Rhodes, maybe feeling a little mischievous that day, took a look at the 6-foot, 6-inch Traylor and booked him against NWA World TV Champion Tully Blanchard for the taping.
Vince McMahon dubbed him The Big Boss Man, complete with a nightstick, drawing from Traylor's previous profession as a prison guard in Cobb County, Georgia.
Big Boss Man had a career defined by showing up and doing the work. Outside of the ring was no different, and his life appeared fairly normal. But, sadly, tragedy would find him while recovering from two terrible losses.