Spike Dudley, the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion and ECW fan favorite, recently gave wrestling enthusiasts a nostalgic trip down memory lane by revisiting one of his most memorable rivalries in the world of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). Long after his retirement from the ring, Spike famously recalled his first high-profile feud against wrestling legend Bam Bam Bigelow — a rivalry marked by unforgettable moments and pivotal lessons that shaped his career.
The Beginning of a Rivalry That Defined Spike’s ECW Legacy
Spike Dudley, known off-ring as Matt Hyson, became a key figure in ECW’s legendary hardcore wrestling scene during the late 1990s. His first feud in ECW — a clash with the towering Bam Bam Bigelow — helped establish Spike’s reputation as a fearless underdog who could battle giants despite his smaller stature.
In an interview on the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast, Spike expressed deep respect for Bigelow’s role in launching his career. He shared that Bam Bam was eager to feud with him because “it was easy” – Bigelow knew the wrestling style would keep him safe and recognized that Spike’s scrappy style could help Spike get over with the fans. According to Spike, one vital lesson from Bigelow was about how Spike sold his offense in the ring. Bam Bam told him, “I love that you sell for me, but I should never have to bend over to pick you up. You’re the little guy, you’re always scrapping … you’re always trying to fight.” This, Spike said, was the most important lesson for defining his gimmick[1].
The Legendary High Spot: Bam Bam Bigelow Throws Spike into the Crowd
Undoubtedly, one of the most talked-about and viral spots from this feud—and ECW history in general—involved Bam Bam Bigelow launching Spike Dudley over the top rope and into the crowd at Philadelphia’s ECW Arena. This moment remains etched in wrestling lore, showcasing ECW’s unpredictable and extreme style.
Spike recalled that the stunt was a rare and dangerous move that could only happen in a hardcore wrestling environment like ECW’s. He explained, “It’s a part of wrestling history, and I’m not trying to brag. You could only do that with ECW. Because first of all, you needed the crowd to catch me … at the arena, they caught me like a baby, I was crowd surfing.” This fan interaction and trust elevated the spectacle beyond a mere wrestling move, blending risk and audience participation organically in a way rarely seen outside ECW[1][3].
Sources close to the ECW locker room indicated that everyone backstage acknowledged the riskiness of that spot but admired Bam Bam’s professionalism and Spike’s willingness to put his body on the line for the show. A WWE insider commented, “Bigelow was a legend not only for his skills but for how he respected the little guys like Spike. That moment wasn’t just a stunt — it was a statement on how ECW pushed boundaries”[1].
Spike’s Role as the ‘Giant Killer’
Spike quickly gained the moniker “The Giant Killer” because of his consistent ability to score upset victories over much larger opponents, Bam Bam included. His matches with Bigelow were brief but showcased Spike’s versatility — blending resilience, high-risk offense, and an underdog spirit that resonated with ECW’s passionate fanbase.
Although Spike defeated Bigelow in their initial encounter at Born to be Wired, subsequent matches typically swung in Bigelow’s favor. Their feud spanned multiple pay-per-views and ECW events like Hardcore Heaven and As Good As It Gets. However, every match between them was memorable, partly due to the chemistry they shared and their contrasting styles — Bam Bam’s powerful, imposing presence versus Spike’s scrappy and relentless tenacity[3].
Beyond the Feud: Career Highlights and Life After ECW
Spike’s feud with Bam Bam Bigelow was only the beginning of an impressive career that saw him winning the ECW World Tag Team Championship twice, mainly alongside Balls Mahoney, and later becoming a popular fixture in WWE’s cruiserweight division.
His willingness to take brutal bumps and iconic hardcore moments made Spike a cult figure among wrestling fans. However, it was the lessons learned early in his career — about relying on his size as a storytelling tool rather than a limit — that truly shaped his tenure in professional wrestling.
In candid discussions, Spike has also touched on what he refused to do in the ring (such as taking brutal chair shots) and his eventual decision to retire to focus on his family and life outside wrestling[2].
ECW’s Enduring Legacy Through Moments Like Spike vs. Bam Bam
Spike Dudley’s reflections remind fans why ECW’s legacy continues to captivate wrestling audiences decades later. With its raw presentation, innovative spots, and passionate fans, ECW created moments that broke wrestling conventions, such as the unforgettable Bam Bam Bigelow throw into the crowd.
According to Spike, “Those days still hold a special place in my heart. It was a different kind of wrestling, where you earned your stripes by doing crazy things and trusting the crowd and each other.”
As the wrestling world continues to evolve, these historic feuds and moments remain a blueprint for storytelling and risk-taking in the sport. Fans and insiders often say that Spike Dudley and Bam Bam Bigelow’s rivalry perfectly encapsulates the passion, danger, and creativity that made ECW a wrestling classic.
For quotes and insights from Spike Dudley, credit the “Insight with Chris Van Vliet” podcast with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for transcription.