Bagwell performed in various wrestling promotions
Pro wrestling great Buff Bagwell underwent surgery to have his right leg amputated above his right knee, his friend Steve Stasiak wrote on social media on Friday.
Bagwell, whose real name is Marcus Bagwell, due to complications from injuries he suffered in a car crash in 2020, Stasiak wrote on Facebook. Stasiak said the injuries never fully healed.
Buff Bagwell in action during the WWA Wrestling "Inception" fight night held at the Sydney Superdome, Sydney, Australia. (Chris McGrath/ALLSPORT)
"I’ve known Buff a long time. I’ve seen him in the spotlight, I’ve seen him behind the scenes, and I’ve seen him fight through things most people never even hear about. This one… this is hard," Stasiak’s post read. "For him. For everyone who knows and loves him.
"The injuries from his 2020 accident never fully healed. He gave it everything he had to avoid this outcome—but that fight led him here. And now begins a whole new kind of battle.
"Buff was one of the brightest stars of a wild era in wrestling. He made you look. He made you care. But it’s who he is as a person—past the lights, past the persona—that I hope people think about today."
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The pro wrestling world offered their thoughts and prayers for Bagwell on social media as word reached X that he had had the surgery.
Praying for Buff Bagwell this morning. He managed me on his first day in the wrestling business. He’s a kind, sweetheart of a person and this breaks my heart. I hope everyone subscribes to his YouTube channel to show him love. pic.twitter.com/ccjJqlVJN8
— Leilani Kai (@realLeilaniKai) July 18, 2025
Thoughts and prayers to Marcus Buff Bagwell who just underwent a life changing procedure. I cant imagine what hes been through but im happy to say hes very optimistic & looking forward to the future. Lets all show Buff some love https://t.co/2vVmrMrMfg
— Shelton J. Benjamin (@Sheltyb803) July 18, 2025
After Seeing What Happened With My Good Friend Buff Bagwell’s Leg Amputation, It Makes Every Health Issue I Have Complained About Minor In Comparison To The Loss Of A Limb For Such An Active Young Man. A Good Friend And Great Talent In The Business! Get Well Soon My Friend!… pic.twitter.com/67VR1f6Suy
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) July 19, 2025
My thoughts go out to Buff Bagwell. He's always be great to me. Great to talk to. Great sense of humor. Even going as far as to play up the American Males deal with me to pop social media. My heart goes out to him. pic.twitter.com/mvWCKBwmru
— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) July 18, 2025
He may not have the greatest wrestler.. but he might have been the coolest. I was always a Buff Bagwell fan. It sucks to see him going through what he’s going through now. https://t.co/Lz7ZPf77t7 pic.twitter.com/NkjzgLuxbR
— Trav (@AntiHero_2pt0) July 18, 2025
Bagwell, 55, competed in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from 1991 to 2001 and then briefly in WWE after WWE bought its rival North American promotion. He also competed for Total Nonstop Action wrestling and others.
Buff Bagwell and his girls after winning a fight during the WWA Wrestling "Inception" fight night held at the Sydney Superdome, Sydney, Australia. (Chris McGrath/ALLSPORT)
He was a five-time WCW tag-team champion and was ranked No. 66 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Top 500 wrestlers of 1999.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.
