Wrestlers from the 1980s and 1990s have some of the most incredible stories regarding their upbringing in the business, especially considering the old-school vibe of the wrestling industry in that period. Even wrestlers who don’t get much recognition from modern wrestling fans have had fascinating careers, like former Four Horseman Barry Windham. Someone like him, who achieved a decorated career during the two decades he fought, has worked with some of the best professional fighters in the industry. As Barry Windham maintained an active career for many years, he wrestled for many promotions including WWE and WCWone might wonder what someone like him has been up to since retiring from in-ring activity.
Barry Windham’s decorated legacy in wrestling included being part of the Four Horsemen
The Four Horsemen are considered by many to be the greatest faction in wrestling history. Although many modern wrestling fans are unfamiliar with his work, to this day The Four Horseman remains well-liked in the business as his influence continues.
When The Four Horseman comes to mind, Ric Flair is usually the first that fans think of. However, while it’s important to acknowledge the original members of The Four Horseman, the fighters who came together during the last few years of the group’s existence deserve proper recognition. Wrestlers like Barry Windham, for example, contributed to The Four Horsemen during his years with WCW/Jim Crockett Promotions in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His contributions to The Four Horseman were further celebrated when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. of Fame of the WWE in 2012, along with his old companions of the group.
However, The Four Horseman isn’t the only act Barry Windham was involved with throughout his career. The fascinating thing about Barry Windham is that he has wrestled for top promotions like WWE and WCW/Jim Crockett Promotions for much of his active acting career. He not only wrestled for these promotions, but also won an overwhelming number of championships from such promotions. Barry Windham’s resume is impressive when you look at the number of titles he has held throughout his career, winning many solo and tag team championships not only in WWE and WCW/Jim Crockett Promotions, but in other organizations as well.
From his multiple careers in WCW/Jim Crockett Promotions, for which he was best known, to his WWE careers to a lesser extent, there is no denying Barry Windham’s value in the wrestling business. He has had an adventurous career that many wish they had, as there is a reason he remains a respected figure to this day.
Barry Windham was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame
In the 2000s, Barry Windham’s career began to wane as he was nearing retirement. In 2007, Barry Windham took a producer job working behind the scenes in WWE until he was let go in late 2008. Regarding his in-ring career at this time, Barry Windham only performed in a limited number of matches, including a rematch of WrestleMania 1. on the “WrestleMania Rewind” edition of a March 2008 episode of Monday Night Raw. Barry Windham’s last match took place in February 2010 in the American Combat Wrestling promotion, eventually ending his race in the ring
Although Barry Windham retired over a decade ago, he appeared at the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony where he, Ric Flair, JJ Dillon, Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard were inducted as The Four Horseman unit. However, it is worth mentioning the setbacks in his personal life since he retired, as he was taken to an intensive care unit after suffering from life-threatening health problems in late 2011.
Fortunately, Barry Windham overcame that adversity. He recovered and even appeared at the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony shortly after. With that being said, Barry Windham’s wrestling legacy lives on after many years away from the ring.