Former WWE Star Big Bully Busick Passes Away

Former WWE Superstar Nick “Big Bully” Busick has passed away at the age of 63.

This is according to Busick’s wife, who announced on Facebook that he died this afternoon surrounded by his family.

“Big Bully Busick has past with his wife and children at his side,” Lorie Busick wrote. “Thank you all so much for all your thoughts and prayers. Nick Busick was so humbled by all of your cards prayers visits.”

Busick died at his home in Weirton, West Virginia.

Busick had been battling a myriad of health problems in recent years. After being diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2015, he was declared cancer-free a year later. However, in 2017, Busick was diagnosed with cancer of the cerebrospinal fluid as well as a brain tumor. The tumor was removed in December, but his battle with cancer continued and he entered hospice care a few days ago.

Having made his wrestling debut in 1977, Busick is best known for his appearances with WWE in 1991 — then known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) — where he portrayed a stereotypical bully from the 1920s with a “turtleneck, bowler hat, and king-sized cigar.”

Managed by Harvey Wippleman, Busick arrived in the WWF with grand plans of pushing around his fellow Superstars. Ironically, however, when it came to his in-ring action, the only Superstar getting bullied was him.

While Busick squashed a number of enhancement wrestlers, when matched up the likes of Sid Justice, Bret “Hit Man” Hart, The British Bulldog and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, he would typically lose. He even lost to perennial loser Brooklyn Brawler.

Realizing he wasn’t going to push around WWF Superstars, Busick turned his attention to much smaller targets. It wasn’t uncommon to see him bullying ring announcer Mike McGuirk and kids in the audience. He once went so far as to steal a youngster’s balloon. The mean-spirited act turned heartbreaking when he popped the colorful balloon right in front of the little girl.

His time with the World Wrestling Federation was brief as he debuted in July 1991 and gone by November of that year.

Other than a few appearances at conventions and indie shows, Busick kept a low wrestling profile. He did, however, wrestle one final match in April 2013. Here is a promo he did for it.

Away from wrestling, Busick promoted three mixed martial arts events under the Big Bully MMA banner in Eastern Ohio in 2012 and 2013. His son, Branko Busick, is currently 1-1 as a professional mixed martial arts fighter and made his pro debut under the Bellator banner last year.