Kevin Nash recently opened up about a tense backstage incident in WCW involving him swinging an aluminum baseball bat at a fellow former WWE and WCW Tag Team star. The event unfolded in the aftermath of Scott Hall suffering a severe teeth injury due to a series of stiff shots during a chaotic match, exposing the dark underbelly of wrestling conflicts during that era.
The Incident: How Scott Hall Lost His Teeth
The trouble began during a match in Shreveport, Louisiana, where Scott Hall and Jerry Sags, the latter part of the legendary tag team The Nasty Boys, got into a shoot (real) fight inside the ring. According to multiple accounts, a botched cue involving Sean Waltman (Syxx-Pac) led to escalating heat between Hall and Sags. The match deteriorated into a violent confrontation, culminating in Hall taking several stiff chair shots that caused him significant injury, including the loss of several teeth[1][2].
Jerry Sags recalled that Hall hit him with a chair, which caused the fight to intensify. Feeling genuinely attacked, Sags fought back, knocking Hall out in the brawl that followed. The violent nature of this altercation blurred the lines between performance and reality[2][3].
Kevin Nash’s Reaction: Baseball Bat Swinging and Backstage Tensions
Kevin Nash was deeply involved in the fallout. After seeing Hall bleeding from his mouth and nose, Nash stormed into the locker room, grabbed a white aluminum baseball bat (famously associated with Sting), and swung it near the heads of The Nasty Boys. Nash’s intention was reportedly to assert dominance and intimidate in response to the chaos. Nash later stated that he wanted to “kill them,” but Hall intervened, pleading with Nash to hold back given that Jerry Sags believed he was justified in the conflict[1].
The incident was so serious that Nash swinging the bat was interpreted as a warning that The Nasty Boys might face being fired. Sources close to the situation explained the backstage atmosphere was tense, with creative power struggles also influencing decisions. Eric Bischoff, then WCW executive and booker, was reportedly prepared to release The Nasty Boys following the incident but was stopped by Hall’s intervention[1][2].
The Wrestling World Reacts: Fallout from a Violent Night
The altercation between Hall, Sags, and Nash was symptomatic of a larger culture of volatility in WCW at the time, with wrestler factions clashing both in and out of the ring. Hall’s injury and the subsequent threat with the bat fueled backstage politics and added further strain within the locker room.
A WWE insider shared, “The Hill family was a ticking time bomb back then; emotions ran high and the line between kayfabe and real animosity was often blurred. What happened with Nash, Hall, and The Nasty Boys was unfortunate but unfortunately not uncommon in those days”[6].
The Nasty Boys suffered the consequences, with both members sidelined and effectively let go by the company shortly after. Brian Knobbs, one half of The Nasty Boys, would later describe the incident as a devastating turning point in their careers[5].
Context: The Role of Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in Wrestling History
Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, both WWE Hall of Famers, were pivotal figures in the wrestling boom of the 1990s, especially known for their work in WCW as part of the New World Order (nWo) faction. Their backstage influence was significant, giving them some authority over booking and creative decisions. The incident with The Nasty Boys revealed how such power dynamics could sometimes explode into real-life physical confrontations.
This aggressive episode highlights the challenges in managing egos and injuries in professional wrestling, where scripted entertainment can quickly spill into real conflict due to the physical nature of the business.
Lessons Learned and Aftermath in the Wrestling Industry
This story underscores the fine line between performance and reality within professional wrestling’s backstage culture in the 1990s. It also demonstrates how physical injuries could escalate tensions among wrestlers, leading to dangerous confrontations.
The wrestling industry has since evolved to emphasize safety protocols and professional conduct, with more stringent oversight by promoters to prevent similar violent incidents. However, stories like the Nash bat swing at Brian Knobbs after Hall’s injury serve as critical reminders of wrestling’s sometimes volatile past.
Backstage Quote:
“Those days were about survival as much as performance,” a WWE veteran who witnessed the incident shared. “Nash was trying to protect his friend, Hall, but things got way out of hand. It was a toxic environment where the boundary between storyline and real life often disappeared.”[6]
This revelation also provides fascinating context for fans examining wrestling’s turbulent past and how some legendary stars managed conflicts within a fiercely competitive locker room atmosphere.