Buff Bagwell Still Wants One More Match Despite Leg Amputation

Six months removed from a life-altering surgery, Buff Bagwell isn’t closing the book on his wrestling career just yet.

The former WCW star had his right leg amputated above the knee in July 2025 due to long-term complications from a 2020 car accident. Despite the physical loss, Bagwell says the procedure gave him his quality of life back — something he hadn’t felt in years due to a locked-up knee that made walking, standing, and even daily tasks miserable. Now 56 and more than three years sober, Bagwell is embracing a new chapter — and one of his biggest goals remains unfinished: stepping back into the ring.

Appearing on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Bagwell made it clear that the dream isn’t dead — but he won’t force it unless he can still look the part.

“I know I could wrestle again — another match or two,” Bagwell said. “But if I can’t do it where it’s [not] ugly, I’m not going to do it. And I’m not sure that’s possible. I don’t want it to be ugly. If it’s ugly at all, I’m not going to do it.”

One major hurdle is just getting into the ring. Even with his $135,000 prosthetic leg, the act of climbing or sliding through the ropes without making it look awkward is a huge challenge — but Bagwell hasn’t ruled it out.

“That will be the first thing you got to conquer, is getting in, or sliding in and getting up fast. But again, if I can’t do those things without them being [ugly], I’m not going to do it. But I think I can. I think I can do it where it’s not ugly,” he explained. “I just don’t know yet. So we’re definitely going to, in the next couple of months, I’m going to get in the ring and just see what I can do.”

Regardless of the outcome, Bagwell made it clear that having one more match is a personal milestone he wants to hit.

“I really do think no matter what, I will do one match just because that’s one of my goals.”

His prosthetic leg, due to the amputation being above the knee, doesn’t have the same range of motion — something that will naturally limit his in-ring options. But Bagwell’s mindset is in a much better place today thanks to his sobriety and his support system, including his wife Stacy.

Bagwell is also working on a documentary titled Still Buff, chronicling his recovery and comeback journey. He’s been documenting his rehab milestones on YouTube — the latest being his ability to walk without a cane.

Buff Bagwell isn’t ready to say goodbye to the ring just yet. He just wants to do it his way — and with dignity.