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Well you…better know what to do afterwards.
Brian James, better known to the WWE Universe as the Road Dogg turns 47 today. James, originally known as The Roadie joined the former WWF in the early 90’s accompanying Jeff Jarrett to the ring. Eventually, James became a solo act, but was unsuccessful in the midcard circuit.
After turning down Honky Tonk Man who was offering his managerial services, Roadie began feuding with Rockabilly, Honky’s assistant and protege. Now it was James suggest that the two stop feuding and team together and maybe they would have a chance at the tag team division. Rockabilly turned on Honky, went back to his Billy Gunn moniker and added Badd Ass to his name. Thus, the New Age Outlaws were formed.
As a member of the Outlaws, Road Dogg is a 6-time WWE Tag Team Champion, but struck gold as a singles competitor as Hardcore Champion and even a one-time winner of the Intercontinental Champion in 1999.
In 2000, Billy Gunn was legitimately injured and the Outlaws here separated indefinitely. James would later team with DX partner X-Pac, but failed to capture any championships, much less any additional fan admiration. Later in 2001, he teamed with newcomer K-Kwik (who would later be christened R-Truth), then James was released from his contract due to drug abuse issues.
As fate would have it, James arrived to the last WCW Monday Night Nitro taping in order to make a deal, but soon learned that the company had just been bought by WWE, leaving James to go back to the independent circuit.
James would eventually land in TNA Wrestling and would be a successful tag team partner and performer for seven years before leaving the promotion and head back to WWE as a producer and part-time Superstar. He returned to the company starting in 2011 and inducted his father, “Bullet” Bob Armstrong into the WWE Hall of Fame. He made random appearances as the Road Dogg for a few more years doing comedy bits, Slammy Award presentations, even participated in the 2012 Royal Rumble.
The Road Dogg was one of the cornerstones of the Attitude Era, giving fans a raunchy entrance and theme music and moves with risque theatrics that were celebrated and cheered for. He was one of the most over competitors of his generation and will be surely inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as one of the most entertaining superstars of all time.
