{{Short description|American professional wrestler, powerlifter}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox professional wrestler | name = Big Bully Busick | birthname = Nicholas Robert Busick | image =Big Bully Busick.jpeg | names = Big Bully Busick<br />Comrade Busick<ref name=Cage>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=3458|title=Big Bully Busick|accessdate=May 9, 2018|publisher=Cagematch}}</ref><br />Nick Busick<br />Powerhouse Busick<ref name=Cage/> | height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}<ref name=Encyclopedia/> | weight = {{convert|265|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name=Encyclopedia/> | birth_date = {{Birth date|1954|6|1|mf=y}} | birth_place = Steubenville, Ohio, U.S.<ref name=Leturgey>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2013/02/28/20615721.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214191703/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2013/02/28/20615721.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 14, 2017|title=Busick bullies his way through heart issue for 'one more match'|date=February 28, 2013|last=Leturgey|first=Thomas|accessdate=May 8, 2018|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer}}</ref> | death_date = {{death date and age|2018|5|8|1954|6|1|mf=yes}} | death_place = Weirton, West Virginia, U.S. | death_cause = Cancer | billed = "Pittsburgh by way of Steubenville, Ohio"<br />Weirton, West Virginia<ref name=Encyclopedia/><br />"Powerhouse Hill" | trainer = Mike Padiousis | debut = 1977 | retired = April 19, 2013<ref name=inspiration/> }} '''Nicholas Busick''' (June 1, 1954 – May 8, 2018) was an American professional wrestler and police officer, better known by his ring name '''Big Bully Busick'''. He is best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1991, where he portrayed a stereotypical bully from the 1920s with a "turtleneck, bowler hat and king-sized cigar".<ref name="WWE"/> Busick is also known for his appearances with Georgia All-Star Wrestling (GAF) and the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF).<ref name="WWE">{{cite web|url=http://jenkins.cloud4.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/15-wrestling-moves-that-really-exist/page-3|title=What a maneuver! 15 moves that really exist|author1=Linder, Zach|author2=Melok, Bobby|name-list-style=amp|publisher=WWE|accessdate=August 14, 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130814201208/http://jenkins.cloud4.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/15-wrestling-moves-that-really-exist/page-3|archivedate=August 14, 2013}}</ref>
==Professional wrestling career== Born in Steubenville, Ohio,<ref name=Leturgey/> Busick grew up in the steel town of Weirton, West Virginia.<ref name=KDKA/> He was an amateur wrestler at Weir High School, and was also an accomplished powerlifter throughout the 1970s.<ref name=Leturgey/> In 1971, he unsuccessfully attempted to break Jim Williams' bench press record of {{convert|635|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Leturgey/> He became a police officer in 1973, at age 19 with the Weirton Police Department. He made his wrestling debut in 1977. Over the next two years, Busick had several more matches with the WWWF (renamed WWF in 1979) when they held shows in the Pittsburgh area, usually as a jobber, though he won at least two matches.<ref>[http://www.wrestlingdata.com/index.php?befehl=bios&wrestler=1068&bild=1&details=11 Nick Busick's match history, from WrestlingData.com]</ref> He never underwent any other formal training, stating he "learned in the ring".<ref name=Leturgey/> He left WWF in 1981.
In the early 1980s, after being invited to leave the Weirton Police Dept. Busick transferred to the Atlanta Police Department.<ref name=Leturgey/> In Atlanta, he began wrestling for Jerry Blackwell and developed the Bully persona, based on Joe Pedicino's observations of a stereotypical coal miner or steel mill worker.<ref name=Leturgey/> As part of the character, he wore a derby hat and turtleneck sweater, smoked a cigar on the way to the ring, and had a bushy handlebar moustache.<ref name=Leturgey/><ref name="WWE"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wtov9.com/news/local/big-bully-busick-passes-away-at-63|title='Big Bully Busick' passes away at 63|date=May 9, 2018|accessdate=May 9, 2018|publisher=WTOV-TV}}</ref>
In early 1991, Busick worked for Global Wrestling Federation in Texas. Occasionally he teamed with Bad News Brown.
In July 1991, Busick debuted in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where he continued to utilize the Bully gimmick.<ref name=Leturgey/> In addition to bullying his opponents, Busick (along with his manager Harvey Wippleman) antagonized fans at ringside, committing such acts as popping a child's balloon with his cigar.<ref name=Encyclopedia>{{cite book|title=WWE Encyclopedia|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|page=[https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/28 28]|publisher=DK|year=2009|isbn=978-0-7566-4190-0|url=https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/28}}</ref> He even harassed ring announcer Mike McGuirk, which eventually led to a save from opponent Sid Justice in a quick loss for Busick. After having spent weeks primarily squashing enhancement talent including a wins over Koko B. Ware and Jim Powers, Busick entered into a small feud with the Brooklyn Brawler after the Brawler challenged Busick to match to see who was the real bully of the WWF. The Brawler defeated the Bully by countout.<ref name=Encyclopedia/> A rematch one week later saw the Brawler fail to dominate the Bully with Wippleman grabbing the Brawler's leg leading to a controversial win for the Bully. Busick spent the remainder of his time in the WWF wrestling against Bret Hart, The British Bulldog, Kerry Von Erich, Greg Valentine, and Jimmy Snuka, before leaving the company in November 1991.<ref name=Leturgey/><ref name=WWEobit>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/big-bully-busick-passes|title=Nick "Big Bully" Busick passes|date=May 8, 2018|accessdate=May 8, 2018|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Originally, Busick was supposed to be making his pay-per-view debut at Survivor Series 1991 with Col. Mustafa, The Berzerker, and The Skinner but was replaced by Hercules.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestletalk.com/features/every-advertised-survivor-series-match-that-never-happened/13/|title=Every Advertised Survivor Series Match That Never Happened | Page 13 of 52|date=November 14, 2018}}</ref>
After WWF, he worked in the independent circuit until retiring in 1995.
He returned to wrestling in 2011 participating in independent shows. His last match was a victory over Josef von Schmidt for Five Star Wrestling in Weirton, West Virginia on April 19, 2013.
==Post wrestling== Alongside fellow wrestler Bill Eadie, Busick worked as a bodyguard in Atlanta.<ref name=Leturgey/> He also worked as a Senior Investigator for Criminal and Civil Investigations, and owned the Big Bully sports nutrition bar company. After returning to Weirton he was employed at Mountaineer Casino and Racetrack in Chester, Wv. as Casino Security Officer and bodyguard to then Casino Manager Ted Arnault<ref name=Leturgey/><ref name=BGMMA>{{cite web|url=https://www.bluegrassmma.com/2018/05/former-mma-promoter-and-wwe-wrestler-nick-big-bully-busick-passes-away/|title=Former MMA promoter and WWE wrestler Nick "Big Bully" Busick passes away|date=May 8, 2018|last=McKinnon|first=Dave|accessdate=May 8, 2018|publisher=Bluegrass MMA}}</ref> A 2013 interview noted he kept a low profile wrestling-wise, other than occasional appearances at fan festivals, but did appear as a special guest referee at Deaf Wrestlefest in April 2012.<ref name=Leturgey/><ref name=inspiration>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2018/05/09/22777868.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509220822/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2018/05/09/22777868.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 9, 2018|title=In his final years, 'Big Bully' Nick Busick gave hope and inspiration|date=May 9, 2018|last=Leturgey|first=Tom|accessdate=May 9, 2018|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer}}</ref> He also promoted mixed martial arts events in Ohio.<ref name=BGMMA/> He also continued to compete in powerlifting competitions until 2015.<ref name=KDKA/>
In November 2012, the WWE listed Busick as having the best mustache in the Top 10 mustaches in WWE history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/kaitlyns-top-10-superstar-mustaches|title=Kaitlyn's top 10 Superstar mustaches|date=November 8, 2012|last=Melok|first=Bobby|accessdate=May 8, 2018|publisher=WWE}}</ref> The Big Bully Busick character was also listed 17 of the 25 most absurd wrestlers in WWE history in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/wwes-most-absurd-superstars|title=WWE's 25 most absurd Superstars|date=January 23, 2013|last1=Melok|first1=Bobby|last2=Murphy|first2=Ryan|last3=Power|first3=Kevin|accessdate=May 8, 2018|publisher=WWE}}</ref> In March 2015, he was inducted in the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance Hall of Fame.<ref name=inspiration/>
==Personal life== Busick was married to his wife Lorie for 32 years and they had three children together.<ref name=Leturgey/><ref name=brain/> His son Branko is a mixed martial artist.<ref name=BGMMA/> His family is of Serbian descent. He was involved in the Serbian community in the US and spoke the language.
===Health problems=== Busick had chronic atrial fibrillation.<ref name=Leturgey/> While exercising in 2005, he suffered a cardiac arrest and was saved via a defibrillator.<ref name=Leturgey/> He refused to seek hospital treatment at the time, but underwent surgery a few years later to correct the fibrillation.<ref name=Leturgey/>
==Death== In 2015, Busick was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He initially had trouble swallowing, before bleeding in his throat.<ref name=PSN>{{cite web|url=https://www.pittsburghsportingnews.com/nick-busicks-infectious-hope-to-bounce-back-from-cancer-is-bully-vitamin-fortified/|title=Nick Busick's infectious hope to bounce back from cancer is "Bully Vitamin fortified"|date=June 3, 2015|accessdate=May 8, 2018|work=Pittsburgh Sporting News}}</ref> He underwent surgery and chemotherapy, during which he went from weighing {{convert|265|lb|kg|abbr=on}} to {{convert|187|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=inspiration/><ref name=KDKA/><ref name=PSN/> In June 2016, Busick announced he was cancer-free.<ref name=KDKA>{{cite web|url=https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2016/06/11/retired-wrestler-big-bully-busick-defeats-cancer/|title=Retired Wrestler 'Big Bully' Busick Defeats Cancer|date=June 11, 2016|accessdate=May 8, 2018|publisher=KDKA-TV}}</ref> The following year, Busick was diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent neurosurgery.<ref name=brain>{{cite web|url=https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2017/12/25/former-wrestler-cancer-treatment/|title=Former Wrestler Fighting New Battle Following Cancer Treatment|date=December 25, 2017|accessdate=May 8, 2018|publisher=KDKA-TV}}</ref> Busick died on May 8, 2018, in Weirton, West Virginia, where he was receiving hospice care.<ref name=1stdeath>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/news.html|title=News|date=May 8, 2018|accessdate=May 8, 2018|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150428041607/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/news.html|archivedate=April 28, 2015|url-status=dead|quote=We're sorry to report the passing of "Bully" Nick Busick, who was diagnosed with spinal fluid cancer a couple of weeks ago, and died in hospice care at home in Weirton, West Virginia.}}</ref><ref name=RoseWON>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/nick-big-bully-busick-passes-away-63-257321|title=Nick "Big Bully" Busick passes away at 63|date=May 8, 2018|last=Rose|first=Bryan|accessdate=May 9, 2018|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref>
==Championships and accomplishments== *'''North Georgia Wrestling Alliance''' **NGWA Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="BR">{{cite web|last1=Jenkins|first1=TJ|title=Ready To Be Bullied?: Nick Busick Takes Sports Jabbers' Questions|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/306070-ready-to-be-bullied-nick-busick-takes-sports-jabbers-questions|website=Bleacher Report|accessdate=9 May 2018}}</ref> *'''Keystone State Wrestling Alliance''' **Hall of Fame (2015)<ref name=KDKA/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|1878102|Nick Busick}} *[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189608967/nicholas-robert-busick Big Bully Busick; findagrave]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Busick, Big Bully}} Category:1954 births Category:2018 deaths Category:20th-century male professional wrestlers Category:20th-century American professional wrestlers Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers Category:21st-century American professional wrestlers Category:American male professional wrestlers Category:Deaths from cancer in West Virginia Category:Sportspeople from Steubenville, Ohio Category:Professional wrestlers from Ohio Category:Sportspeople from Weirton, West Virginia Category:Weir High School alumni