Wrestlers in 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 the former Four Horseman Barry Windham. Someone like him, who achieved a decorated career for himself over the two decades he wrestled, has worked with some of the greatest professional wrestlers in the industry. As Barry Windham maintained an active career for many years, wrestling for many promotions, including WWE and WCW, one might be wondering what someone like him has up to since retiring from in-ring activity.
Related: 10 Things Fans Should Know About Barry Windham
Barry Windham's Decorated Legacy In Wrestling Included Being Part Of The Four Horsemen
The Four Horseman are considered by many as the best faction in wrestling history. Even though many modern wrestling fans aren't familiar with their work, to this day, The Four Horseman are still widely beloved in the business as their influence continues.
When The Four Horseman comes to mind, Ric Flair is usually the first one fans think of. However, while it's important to recognize the original members of The Four Horseman, wrestlers that joined during the later years of the group's existence deserve the proper recognition. Wrestlers like Barry Windham, for instance, contributed to The Four Horsemen during the years he spent with WCW/Jim Crockett Promotions in the late 1980s and early 1990s. His contributions to The Four Horseman were more celebrated when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012, along with his former fellow members of the group.
However, The Four Horseman is not the only act Barry Windham involved himself in throughout his career. What's fascinating about Barry Windham is that he's wrestled for prominent promotions such as WWE and WCW/Jim Crockett Promotions in much of his career as an active performer. He not only wrestled for these promotions but has also won an overwhelming number of championships from such promotions. Barry Windham's resume is impressive if one were to observe the number of titles he's held over his career, winning many solo and tag team championships in not just WWE and WCW/Jim Crockett Promotions but also other organizations.
From his multiple runs in WCW/Jim Crockett Promotions, which he was best known for, to his runs in WWE to a smaller extent, there's no denying Barry Windham's value in the wrestling business. He's had an adventurous career that many would desire to have, as there's a reason why he's still a respected figure to this day.
Related: 5 2nd Generation Wrestlers Who Were Too Much Like Their Parents (& 5 Who Were Different)
Barry Windham Was Inducted Into The WWE Hall Of Fame
In the 2000s, Barry Windham's career began to wind down as he was on the verge of retiring. 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 WrestleMania 1 rematch on the "WrestleMania Rewind" edition of a March 2008 episode of Monday Night Raw. Barry Windham's last bout took place on February 2010 at the American Combat Wrestling promotion, finally putting his in-ring career to rest.
Although Barry Windham has been retired for over a decade, he did appear at the WWE Hall of Fame 2012 ceremony, where he, Ric Flair, J.J. Dillon, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard got inducted as The Four Horseman unit. However, it's worth mentioning the setbacks in his personal life since retiring, as he was taken to an ICU unit after suffering life-threatening health problems in late 2011.
Thankfully, Barry Windham overcame such adversity. He recovered and even appeared at the WWE Hall of Fame 2012 ceremony not long after. With that said, Barry Windham's wrestling legacy continues to live after many years of being out of the ring.
