Buff Bagwell made an emotional return on the March 26, 2026, episode of TNA iMPACT after virtually 20 years. Throughout a section, he disclosed an replace on his well being, talked about his struggles, and his want to wrestle one final match, even after shedding his leg lower than a 12 months in the past.
Bagwell’s return got here after a really tough well being journey that began with a severe automotive accident in 2020. The accident occurred whereas he was below the affect, and it badly broken his proper knee. His kneecap was virtually destroyed, and his leg might now not bend.
What occurred to Buff Bagwell’s leg?
After the accident, Bagwell went by means of a really painful restoration course of for the following 5 years. He had greater than 40 surgical procedures to attempt to save his leg. These included a knee alternative and a surgical procedure the place a part of his calf muscle was moved to assist blood movement. However issues stored going incorrect. He suffered from infections, together with a severe staph an infection, and had visited the hospital manner too many instances. At one level, he even had 21 surgical procedures in simply seven weeks.
Even in any case that, his leg couldn’t transfer correctly, making on a regular basis issues like strolling, sitting, or exercising very tough. It additionally affected him emotionally, as he grew to become self-conscious and averted public appearances.
“When you’ll be able to’t bend your leg, it’s devastating. I used to be very depressed about the way it appeared. I’d at all times put on pants. Right here’s Buff Bagwell, ashamed to put on shorts. I’d not be in public with it,” Bagwell mentioned throughout an interview with Individuals.
By 2024, issues received worse. After one other surgical procedure, medical doctors advised him he had two decisions: strive extra surgical procedures with solely a small probability of success, or amputate his leg. Even when the surgical procedures labored, his leg would nonetheless be stiff and never very helpful.
In the long run, Bagwell selected amputation.
On July 10, 2025, he went by means of “above the knee” surgical procedure on his proper leg. He later mentioned that waking up with out his leg was surprising at first, however he ultimately realized it was the fitting resolution.
“So I’m attempting to kick out, and on the similar time having an nervousness assault over my leg. It appeared like a few minutes, but it surely was most likely 10 seconds lengthy, and on the finish of that 10 seconds, I used to be like, ‘Do you bear in mind how your leg appeared, buddy?’ After these 10 seconds, I knew I had made the fitting resolution. There was little question in my thoughts,” Bagwell admitted.
After getting a prosthetic leg, he felt like he “gained two legs out of this,” since his proper leg’s situation was limiting using his left leg earlier.
After that, issues began to alter for him. Bagwell centered on restoration, staying sober, and rebuilding his life with a prosthetic leg. His return on TNA iMPACT confirmed that change.
Learn Extra: WWE Corridor Of Famer To Have Retirement Match At 83 Years Previous
