In summer 1992, near the end of his WCW run, he turned face and became Big Cat again, teaming with Junkyard Dog to feud with The Vegas Connection.
World Wrestling Federation (1993)
After a short stint in the United States Wrestling Association, Hughes joined the World Wrestling Federation in March, as part of the feud between The Undertaker and Harvey Wippleman. Hughes stole The Undertaker's urn, but then lost every match between them and relinquished it. He left the WWF in August. During his stay, he also lost to Mr. Perfect by disqualification in the 1993 King of the Ring. Hughes' last televised match was against Tatanka, which he lost via countout when his sunglasses cracked into his eyes. Hughes was released the next day.
Eastern/Extreme Championship Wrestling (1993–1994, 1996, 1998)
In October 1993, Hughes debuted for Eastern Championship Wrestling. After the promotion was renamed Extreme Championship Wrestling in 1994, he became bodyguard for Shane Douglas during Douglas' first and second ECW World Heavyweight Championship reigns. He frequently teamed with Douglas, as well as wrestling in singles matches, nicknamed "The Ruffneck".
Hughes (right) with Chris Jericho, during his short stint as Jericho's enforcer in 1999
Return to the WWF (1997, 1999)
Hughes made two more brief appearances for the WWF. First, in January 1997 as Hunter Hearst Helmsley's bodyguard before being replaced by Chyna in February.[6]
Then in September 1999 he returned again as a masked opponent for Chris Jericho called "Gotch Gracie". This was later revealed to be a set up when both attacked Ken Shamrock and "Gracie" revealed himself to be Jericho's new bodyguard (as Curtis Hughes). Hughes was notably smaller in this run having lost a significant amount of weight. He aligned himself with Jericho and Howard Finkel (who was Jericho's lackey at the time) however Jericho turned on him during a tag team match and Hughes lost Finkel in a poker game to the APA. He then left the WWF again.
World Wrestling Alliance and the independent circuit (1999–present)
In 1999, Hughes lost a lot of weight and began working on the independent circuit and later became head trainer at the Atlanta-based World Wrestling Alliance's WWA4 Wrestling School. In late 2003, Hughes worked for the newly formed All World Wrestling League/Big Time Wrestling. In 2006, WWA4 launched a locally-aired professional wrestling program, which Hughes co-hosted with announcer and the executive producer, Taylor McKnight. When Mcknight left WWA4 for Great Championship Wrestling, Dave Wills co-hosted with Hughes. After beginning classes at the WWA4 school, Hughes' weight dropped from 310 pounds to 250 pounds.[5]
In 2007, Hughes began a high-profile Memphis Wrestling feud when he called Jerry Lawler a "sell out" for not showing up for a scheduled match against Hulk Hogan (Lawler worked for World Wrestling Entertainment, who objected to the match). Hughes shoved Lawler's real life girlfriend, Renee, on an episode of Memphis Primetime, and the two battled three weeks later at Sam's Town River Palace Arena in Tunica, Mississippi. The match ended when Hughes kneeled and apologized to Lawler, before hitting him with a low blow and punching Renee in the face, thus losing by disqualification.
In March 2011, Hughes headlined the inaugural Redneck Wrasslin Organization card in Springfield, Illinois, teaming with Pretty Boy Floyd and Beast to defeat Team Dragonfire.
On February 18, 2012, Hughes won a 34-man battle royal for the vacant Peachstate Wrestling Alliance Heritage Championship.[7]
On April 11, 2016, he stepped down as head trainer of WWA4 with his trainee AR Fox taking over the role.[8]
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